When Anxiety Gets Out of Control

Ever had those moments when you were so excited to go out with your friends and then a couple hours before you are ready to meet up, you are feeling stressed, thinking of all kinds of horrifying scenarios, and you end up talking yourself into staying at home? What about just feeling exhausted about the thought of having to talk with coworkers, friends, and family members?

The effort it takes to prepare for and engage in daily tasks is tiring to you and sometimes it just seems easier for you to stay at home to avoid any form of interaction and activities.  

You may have also encountered well-meaning comments from others that were not helpful at all. It can be hurtful to hear others say, “It’s not a big deal. Relax.” It is not like you have not tried. You can’t remember the last time you felt relaxed, did not have repeated dread and doubts about what you said to someone, enjoyed spending time with others, and woke up feeling rested.

It seems like the anxiety is either present all the time or it shows up for no reason and the more you want it to go away, the worse it gets. It seems like it is out of control! Because of its impact on relationships, work, college, etc., on some days when the anxiety is through the roof, it feels like it is ruining your life.

How Common Is Anxiety and What Causes It?

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety disorders are one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders and approximately 40 million adults (18.1% of the population) are affected by anxiety. As humans, we all experience anxiety to some degree, which in itself is not problematic; it can actually be quite helpful at times, as it allows us to become more aware of dangers and threats in our environment. Anxiety is also a typical reaction to stress.

Anxiety can become problematic when the distress from it is beyond what is appropriate for the situation and it affects your ability to engage in activities that are meaningful to you, such as working, attending college, and connecting with individuals that you care about. It is not quite clear what causes one to develop an anxiety disorder, however, a combination of such risk factors as life experiences, environmental factors, genetics, chronic stress, and life choices, such as excessive caffeine consumption, may be contributing factors.

Commonalities and Differences

There are several commonalities among the different types of anxiety disorders, including excessive fear and anxiety. There are also some experiences that differentiate these disorders from one another, including the type of objects and situations that activate anxiety, fear, how we respond, and related thoughts.

For instance, Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive and persistent anxiety and worries about different things (performance at work or college, money, family, health, etc.), in addition to such symptoms as irritability, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating during most days. On the other hand, Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by the avoidance of such situations as meeting new people, talking in front of others, etc., in response to the fear of doing something that could possibly lead to the perception of being judged by others and feeling embarrassed. Intense fear or anxiety is typically experienced when those situations cannot be avoided.

Other Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Debilitating anxiety affects our body and mind. Depending on the type of anxiety, the symptoms experienced can vary.

Common symptoms in addition to the ones mentioned above:

• Chest pain

• Feeling tense and fidgety

• Headaches

• Nightmares

• Overthinking things

• Racing thoughts

• Shortness of breath

• Sweaty palms

• Uneasiness

• Upset stomach

Anxiety Treatments

If you are experiencing anxiety, the first step is to meet with your doctor to explore if there are physical problems that cause the anxiety. If a physical problem can be ruled out, the next step would be for you to reach out to a mental health professional, as anxiety is quite treatable with two common forms of treatment being therapy and medications.

Therapy provides a confidential space to explore your experiences with anxiety and ways to manage it more effectively, so that you are feeling more confident about dealing with situations that you are currently dreading and so that you are feeling more comfortable engaging in activities that are meaningful to you. The therapy approach can vary based on the type of anxiety experienced and your individual needs.

You may wonder if taking medications helps with managing anxiety. Your PCP can provide more information about the types of medications available and their side effects so that you can make an informed decision about taking medications. Your PCP may also refer you for a psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatric provider, such as a psychiatrist, who may recommend treatment involving medications. Treatment involving medications can result in experiencing less intense and frequent anxiety symptoms. At times, a combination of therapy and medications may be recommended.

Take the Next Step

Call to schedule a complimentary phone consultation to learn more about how therapy may help you manage anxiety more effectively and to explore if we are a good fit.