Anxiety

Anxiety

It’s normal to feel anxious when facing a challenging situation, such as a job interview, a tough exam, or a blind date. But if your worries and fears seem overwhelming and interfere with your daily life, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. There are many different types of anxiety disorders—and many effective treatments and self-help strategies. Once you understand your anxiety disorder, there are steps you can take to reduce your symptoms and regain control of your life.

What you can do

What’s the difference between normal stress and anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a stressful situation.

In moderation, anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, anxiety can help you stay alert and focused, spur you to action, and motivate you to solve problems. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with your relationships and activities, it stops being functional—that’s when you’ve crossed the line from normal, productive anxiety into the territory of anxiety disorders.   …. Continue to website

Support organizations for anxiety disorders

BounceBack® gives you access to materials and resources that can all be customized to fit your needs. You will have access to workbooks, activities, videos, or a trained coach who can provide up to 6 phone sessions.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Information Helpline
Trained volunteers can provide information, referrals, and support for those suffering from anxiety disorders in the U.S. Call 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 am-6 pm, Eastern time. (NAMI)

Find a Therapist
Search for anxiety disorder treatment providers in the U.S. and find advice on selecting the right doctor or therapist. (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

Support Groups
List of support groups in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

Anxiety UK
Information, support, and a dedicated helpline for UK sufferers and their families. (Anxiety UK)

Sangath, India
Non-profit, non-government organization providing mental health services in Goa, India. (Sangath)

Signs and symptoms of anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders

Anxiety Disorders
Guide to the different types of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and how to get help. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Treatment Options

Anxiety Treatment Options
Article looks at the many treatment options for anxiety, including exercise and breathing techniques. (Better Health Channel)

Anxiety Disorders: Comorbidity
Reveals severe anxiety may be a risk factor for suicide (Fawcett and Kravitz, 1983; Fawcett, 1997). Studies have reported that a significant number of people who committed suicide were diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder (Allebeck, 1988) and a significantly increased suicide rate is seen in people with panic disorder (Coryell, 1988)

Severe anxiety presages suicide risk, data show: expert questions traditional indicators
Shares “a growing body of evidence shows that severe anxiety often precedes suicide attempts in psychiatric patients, Dr. Jan Fawcett said at the annual meeting of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.”

Suicide risk in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of the FDA database.
Study reports that suicide risk in patients with anxiety disorders is higher than previously thought. Patients with anxiety disorders warrant explicit evaluation for suicide risk.

WebMD – Study Links Anxiety, Nervousness to Suicide
A 2005 Swedish study, revealed that people who reported feeling anxious and nervous were more likely to attempt suicide. Browse for findings.

More Resources

Inner Calm Online
Being peaceful inside is precious. It feels wonderful and is naturally therapeutic. Our time-tested procedures enable you to hack into your nervous system, reduce your stress hormones and create quiet calmness inside. They have been used and supported by astronauts, corporate executives, hospitals and are backed by peer reviewed research. Anxiety, depression, insomnia and many other common disorders respond positively to even short releases of everyday stress. Many people are able to reduce or get off medications. Most report becoming more positive and happier. They feel better.

Stress 101: Causes, Symptoms & Coping Strategies
This article contains a detailed description of the history of stress, how it affects the body, and how stress management techniques can help to reduce the burden.