September Series 02 - About Anxiety

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Mental Health Awareness - 02
I’ve decided to start a bit of a series on some mental health topics to raise awareness.  If you haven’t read my story, feel free to read it at: http://hanmichelleb.blogspot.com/2017/08/my-mental-health-story-so-far.html

02: What is Anxiety? General Information.  
The first thing you should realize: Everyone experience some anxiety at some points in their lives.  Some anxiety is normal before big interviews, uncomfortable social situations, or before a speech.  Most people worry about things from time to time. This doesn’t mean you have anxiety, it just makes you human.  
However, if your anxiety is excessive and lasts for over 6 months, it may be a good idea to discuss medicine, therapy, or evaluate your lifestyle with a doctor.  
Today, I’m going to list out some symptoms, causes, and types of anxiety disorders, since anxiety is such a broad and varied topic.
There are different types of anxiety disorders:
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobias
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is not about keeping things neat and orderly!
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
Today, I will just focus on generalized anxiety, to help keep this as short as possible.  
Here are some general symptoms:
  • Fatigue, restlessness
  • Irritability or hypervigilance
  • Racing or unwanted thoughts - this can include many different things
  • Sense of impending doom, fear, excessive worry
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Poor concentration
Anxiety attacks can also happen.  
Symptoms of anxiety attacks can vary from person to person, and situation to situation.
  • DizzinessAnxiety vs Anxiety Disorders Infographic.png
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sense of impending doom or losing control
  • Overwhelming fear, urgency to escape
  • Feeling of grave danger
  • Chest pain/pressure
  • Trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, turning pale
  • Weak in the knees, burning skin, pins and needles
  • Detachment from reality, self, or normal emotions
  • Numbness
  • Crying, emotionally upset, emotional distress
  • Inability to calm down
  • Confusion
  • Tight stomach
  • Panick
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Throat feeling like it’s swelling shut
  • Racing heart
  • Inability to breathe
Causes of anxiety: COULD be:
  • Genetic
  • Situational
  • Inability or lack of knowledge of how to cope with stress
There are screenings you can take or recommend a loved one to take.  These can also give you good ideas of how to start the process of getting treatment and what to discuss with your doctors.  
Many times, anti-anxiety medicine can make a great difference in helping to control this!  
Today’s extra link is the following - an article where 31 people list what their anxiety is like from The Mighty: https://themighty.com/2015/05/what-anxiety-feels-like/




If you are ever in a crisis, here are some numbers to know (in the US):
9-1-1 (Yes, this is an option!)
National Suicide Hotline/AFSP: Call 1-800-273-8255
CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text HOME to 741-741
Others:
Boys Town Suicide Prevention: 800-448-3000
HopeLine: 919-231-4525
The Trevor Project: 212-695-8650
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
The Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1
Deaf/Hard of Hearing:  Lifeline via TTY by dialing 800-799-4889

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