Anxiety is a feeling of dread, fear or distress over a real or imagined threat to your mental or physical well-being.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety are both physical and psychological. They include:
Rapid pulse and/or breathing rate
Racing or pounding heart
Dry mouth
Sweating
Trembling
Shortness of breath
Faintness
Numbness/tingling of the hands, feet, or
other body part
Feeling a "lump in the throat"
Stomach problems
Insomnia
A certain amount of anxiety is normal. It can prompt you to study for a test. It can alert you to seek safety when you are in physical danger. Anxiety is not normal, though, when there is no apparent reason for it or when it overwhelms you and interferes with your day-to-day life.
Causes
Anxiety can be a symptom of medical conditions such as:
A heart attack
An overactive thyroid gland
(hyperthyroidism)
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
An excess of hormones made by the glands
located above the kidneys called the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome)
A side effect of some medications
A withdrawal reaction from nicotine,
alcohol, drugs or medicines such as sleeping pills
Anxiety can also be a symptom of a number of illnesses known as anxiety
disorders. These include:
Phobias (See Phobias)
Panic attacks and panic disorder (See Panic Attacks)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - An anxiety
disorder where the sufferer has persistent, involuntary thoughts or images (obsessions)
and engages in ritualistic acts such as washing their hands according to certain
self-imposed rules (compulsions).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A
condition where a person reexperiences a traumatic past event like a wartime
situation, hostage taking or rape. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks of the
event, excessive alertness and emotional numbness to people and activities.
Treatment
When anxiety is mild and/or does not interfere with daily living, it can
be dealt with using self-help. (See Self-Care Tips below.)
Treatment for anxiety includes:
Treating any medical condition
which causes anxiety
Medication. Examples include antianxiety
medicines such as Xanax, and antidepressants such as Tofranil and Prozac. Another
medicine, Tenormin, which is usually used for high blood pressure, has been shown to help
persons with the anxiety that comes with stage fright.
Psychological counseling
Changing jobs or other life situations
Self-help groups such as Agoraphobics in
Motion (AIM). (See "Places to Get Information & Help" under Anxiety/Phobias.)
Anxiety disorders are some of the most common conditions people suffer with. They often respond to treatment.
Are any of these symptoms of a heart attack present with the
anxiety? Chest pressure or pain (may spread
to the arm, neck, or jaw) Chest discomfort with any of these problems:
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing; nausea or vomiting; sweating; uneven heartbeat
or pulse; or sense of doom |
 |
| Are these symptoms present with the anxiety? Excessive hair growth Round face and puffy eyes Skin changes - reddening, thinning, and
stretch marks High blood pressure |
 |
| Do you have these symptoms with the anxiety? Rapid heartbeat Hyperactivity Weight loss Muscle weakness, tremors Bulging eyes Feeling hot or warm all the time |
|
| If you have been through or seen a traumatic event, do you suffer
from any of these problems? Nightmares, night terrors and/or
flashbacks of the event Lack of concentration, poor memory, sleep
problems Feelings of guilt for surviving the event Startled easily by loud noises or anything
that reminds you of the event Lack of interest in the activities and
people you once enjoyed |
OR  |
| Do you have anxiety only under the following conditions? When you don't eat or when you do
too much physically, especially if you are diabetic During the 2 weeks before your menstrual
period if you are a woman |
 |
| Does the anxiety come only after 1 or both of the following? Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) or
prescription medicine Withdrawing from medication, nicotine,
alcohol, or drugs |
|
| Have you had any of these problems? Panic attacks followed for 1 month
by fears of getting another one Worry about what would happen with another
panic attack, or A change in what you do related to panic
attacks such as avoiding places, not being able to leave the house or be left alone |
OR  |
| Do any of the following keep you from doing your daily activities? Checking something over and over
again, such as seeing if you've locked the door even though it is locked Repeated, unwanted thoughts such as worrying
you could harm someone Repeated, senseless acts such as washing
your hands over and over again |
OR |
| Is anxiety in general keeping you from doing the things you need
to do every day? |
OR |
Look for the cause of the stress that
results in anxiety and deal with it through the use of stress management techniques. (See Self-Care Tips under "Stress".)
Lessen your exposure to things that cause
you distress.
Talk about your fears and anxieties with
someone you trust such as a friend, spouse, teacher, etc.
Eat healthy and at regular times. Don't
skip meals.
If you are prone to low blood sugar
episodes, eat 5-6 small meals per day instead of 3 larger ones. Avoid sweets on a regular
basis, but carry a quick source of sugar with you at all times, such as a small can of
orange juice. This will give you a quick source of sugar in the event that you do get a
low blood sugar reaction.
Exercise regularly.
Limit or avoid caffeine intake after noon.
Caffeine can worsen anxiety and lead to poor sleeping patterns. If you must drink coffee,
switch to decaffeinated. Also use decaffeinated teas, colas, and other sodas. Limit your
intake of chocolate.
Avoid nicotine and alcohol.
Avoid medicines that have a stimulating
effect, which can cause anxietylike symptoms. Examples are over-the-counter diet pills and
pills to keep you awake.
Do some form of relaxation exercise daily.
Examples include biofeedback, deep muscle relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing
exercises.
Don't "bite off more than you can
chew." Plan your schedule for what you can handle both physically and mentally.
Rehearse for events that are coming up
about which you have felt anxious in the past or think will cause anxiety. Imagine
yourself feeling calm and in control during the event several times before it really
occurs.
Be prepared to deal with symptoms of
anxiety if you think they will happen. For example, if you have hyperventilated in the
past, carry a paper bag with you. If you do hyperventilate, cover your mouth and nose with
the paper bag. Breathe into the paper bag slowly and rebreathe the air. Do this in and out
at least 10 times. Remove the bag and breathe normally a few minutes. Repeat breathing in
and out of the paper bag as needed.
Help others. The positive feelings from
this can help you overcome or forget about your anxiety
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99