Anxiety

Everyone is anxious sometimes.

Anxiety can be useful when it helps you avoid dangerous situations and motivates you to solve problems. Persons with anxiety experience different degrees of severity, from mild uneasiness to a full-blown panic attack. Anxiety can last from a few moments to many years. An anxiety disorder differs from normal anxiety in these ways:

People with any anxiety disorder may experience unrealistic or excessive worry or fear, decreased concentration and memory, indecisiveness, nervousness, fatigue irritability or have problems sleeping. Some of the physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder include rapid heartbeat, hyperventilation, flushing, shortness of breath, headache, sweating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and pains and restlessness. Many people with an anxiety disorder not seek treatment due to stigma or failure to understand that there is help. It is important to remember that an anxiety disorder is not a weakness or character defect, but a real medical condition that responds to treatment.

Signs you need help:

In the past month for most of the time:

Have you felt keyed up, high strung or on edge?
Have you been worrying a lot?
Have you been irritable?
Have you had any difficulty relaxing?
Have you been sleeping poorly?
Have you had headaches or neckaches?
Have you had any of the following: trembling, tingling, dizzy spells, sweating, urinary frequency, diarrhea?
Have you been worried about your health?
Have you had difficulty falling asleep?

( The Goldberg Anxiety Scale.)

Interpretation:

Score one point for each Yes. The higher the score, the more likely you are experiencing anxiety at a level that is affecting your life.

If you are troubled by several of the above symptoms, and they are affecting your ability to function, you should seek help.

For more information on C4 services, or to schedule an appointment, call 773.769.0205.

How Can C4 Help?

C4 offers therapy for adults and children to help cope with anxiety disorders. Counselors teach relaxation skills and tips for reducing stress and controlling anxiety. Group counseling may be recommended.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is based on the concept that how we think affects the way we feel, has proven useful in treating anxiety disorders. In some cases, a psychiatrist will perform an evaluation to determine if medication would be helpful.

For more information on C4 services, or to set up an appointment, call 773.769.0205.