Anxiety

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

When anxiety is under control, it is an important and productive part of life. It is our built-in alarm bell. However, in cases in which anxiety has become overwhelming, it can be debilitating. If you have wondered if what your are experiencing is anxiety, use the questionnaire below as a tool of evaluation.

• Do you experience sudden episodes of intense and overwhelming fear that seem to come on for no apparent reason?
• During these episodes, do you experience symptoms similar to the following? Racing heart, chest pain, difficulty breathing, choking sensation, feeling lightheaded, tingling or numbness?
• During the episodes do you worry about something terrible happening to you, such as embarrassing yourself, having a heart attack or dying?
• Do you worry about having an additional episode?
• Do you worry about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance)?
  is it difficult to control the worry?
• Do you also have two or more of these symptoms?
  • feeling restless or on edge
  • being easily fatigued
  • having difficulty concentrating
  • feeling irritable
  • muscle tension
  • having difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep
• Do you have recurring thoughts or images (other than the worries of everyday life) that feel intrusive and make you anxious?
• On occasion, do you know that these thoughts or images are unreasonable or excessive?
• Do you want these thoughts or images to stop, but can’t seem to control them?
• Are you afraid of one or more social or performance situations?
  • speaking up
  • taking a test
  • eating, writing or working in public
  • being the center of attention
  • asking someone for a date
• Do you get anxious and worried if you try to participate in those situations?
• Do you avoid these situations when possible?
• Are you afraid on one specific object or situation, such as heights, storms, water, animals, elevators, closed-in spaces, receiving an injection, or seeing blood (excluding social situations)?
• Do you get anxious and worried if you try to participate in those situations?
• Do you avoid these situations when possible?

If you answered ‘yes’ to 5 or more of the questions above, it is likely you are experiencing anxiety and would benefit from therapeutic interventions. Contact Moments of Clarity today to schedule a therapy appointment and learn coping skills to manage your anxiety.

Signs and Symptoms of Panic Attacks

• Surge of overwhelming panic
• Feeling of losing control or going crazy
• Heart palpitations or chest pain
• Feeling like you’re going to pass out
• Trouble breathing or choking sensation
• Hyperventilation
• Hot flashes or chills
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• Feeling detached or unreal

If you believe you are experiencing anxiety and/or panic attacks, contact Amanda Spriggs at Moments of Clarity to schedule an appointment today.