Do you feel anxious or nervous before an exam, a big game or a date? This type of anxiety is normal and even productive. However some people suffer from overwhelming amounts of anxiety. Anxiety disorders are relatively common. One in eight people in any given year experience significant symptoms. How does an anxiety disorder differ from normal anxiety? Typically an anxiety disorder involves anxiety that is persistent and overwhelming. A person may feel powerless and unable to direct what is happening. It is more intense, lasts longer and can interfere with everyday functioning at work, school, and within relationships.

     Anxiety can be thought about as being experienced in three different realms: physiologically, behaviorally and psychologically. Physiologically anxiety can cause heart palpitations, sweating, dry mouth, nausea, muscle tension, and dizziness as well as other symptoms. Behaviorally, anxiety affects ones ability to act and deal with everyday life. Psychologically one may feel uneasy, fearful and detached from oneself and others. Not everyone experiences anxiety in the same way. It can appear in different forms and have different levels of intensity.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Some of the more common types are:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: excessive anxiety and worry about ordinary life circumstances
• Panic Disorder: periods of intense fear that are often accompanied by feelings of impending doom
• Social Phobia: persistent, excessive or unreasonable fear and avoidance of social situations
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: recurrent and persistent thoughts that are intrusive followed by repetitive behaviors aimed at suppressing the thoughts
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: disabling psychological symptoms develop following a traumatic event.

      The good news about anxiety disorders is that they are very treatable. Many people are able to successfully manage their anxiety through counseling. In collaboration with a counselor individuals work to identify and replace anxiety provoking patterns with anxiety reducing alternatives. In some cases medication may be helpful when combined with counseling. Taking good care of oneself as far as good eating habits, regular sleep patterns, regular exercise and good stress management also helps reduce anxiety and sometimes prevents the onset of anxiety attacks.

     If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety visit one of the websites below or call the counseling center (ext. 8090) to make an appointment. Trying to manage the symptoms on your own can lead to more anxiety, feelings of isolation, and depression.

http://www.adaa.org (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)
http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/vpc.html (Virtual Pamphlet Collection- see Anxiety)