Feeling anxious, worried or panicky? Read this and calm down!

Jan 18, 2016

If you’ve been feeling excessively anxious, worried or panicky, don’t feel helpless. In many cases, treatment can free you and your family from an anxiety disorder.

More than 25 million Americans — twice as many women as men — suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association. These disorders are a group of conditions characterized by excessive fear. Two of the most common are generalized anxiety disorder (extreme worrying) and panic disorder (recurrent panic attacks).

Anxiety illustration - Scribble cloud over the silhouette of a head — More than 25 million Americans suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Understand your symptoms

“A panic attack is a period of intense fear typically marked by bodily changes such as shortness of breath, chest pain, elevated heart rate, dizziness, chills or heat sensations in the body, or upset stomach,” said Dr. Jennifer Michels, a Marshfield Clinic clinical psychologist. “Sometimes there is a clear reason for the attack, but often it comes from out of the blue.”

Excessive worrying that’s difficult to control marks generalized anxiety disorder. In addition, you may be easily fatigued, irritable and restless, along with having a hard time concentrating and sleeping.

Is your disorder affecting others?

“These disorders can be very disruptive to you as well as others, such as at home and work,” Michels said. “If you’re worrying out loud, persistently irritable, or struggling to go places because of fear of a panic attack, it can really affect your ability to live life actively and work well with others.”

The good news is most anxiety disorders can be successfully treated with a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy.

Through psychotherapy with a behavioral health professional, you can learn techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and other relaxation tools, as well as ways to change your thought patterns to help you control anxious symptoms.

“Anxiety disorders are among the most treatable psychiatric disorders,” Michels said. “It’s not a multi-year process.”

Many patients see strong improvement in as few as four to 10 sessions, she said.

Don’t let stigma hold you back

Getting started with treatment may be the toughest part. You may feel a stigma around mental health and discomfort about seeking treatment. Don’t, Michels said, because it can help so much.

To make seeking treatment easier, Michels suggests you talk first to your primary care doctor. Describe the symptoms you’re feeling, and ask about a referral to a mental health specialist.

6 responses to “Feeling anxious, worried or panicky? Read this and calm down!”

Brandy Govreau

Jan 24, 2016

I have bad anxiety. I don't really want to leave the house. I'm finding it getting harder to go on road trips now. I'm finding myself getting nervous and anxious not even 10 minutes away from home. Any helpful tips??

Reply
1. John Tracy
  
  Jan 25, 2016
  
  Brandy,
  When anxiety makes doing everyday things difficult you should seek professional help. Start with your primary care doctor, they may refer you to a specialist to help with treatment.
  
  Reply
2. Hugh
  
  Jan 26, 2016
  
  For anxiety disorders that affect daily functioning, eeking medical attention makes sense as John suggests. Id like to add that in my experience cultivating a healthy relationship with and dependence upon one's Higher Power / God through prayer and meditation can serve as an excellent complement to such medical attention as well. Talk to your doctor, thene talk with a trusted friend or family. Then with a pastor or other spiritual guide. They can all complement one another in helping you …shine. 🙂
  
  Reply
Karen

Jan 21, 2016

I suffered general anxiety disorder for almost 15 years. And what was finally my cure and have not had an attack since 2012? My onset of breast cancer in November 2011. Does that make any sense? If it does, please share it with me

Reply
1. Benjamin
  
  Jan 22, 2016
  
  I find that if I have a big enough stressor, that often I'm not panicky at all…I think it's because my mind actually/finally has a real threat to focus on. Just a few weeks ago my partner woke up and started vomiting blood (food poisoning), and instead of having a panic attack I had laser focus on what I had to do. I was really proud of my self, we found out it wasn't serious and that's when I noticed I hadn't panicked at all.
  
  Reply
2. John Tracy
  
  Jan 22, 2016
  
  Here's Dr. Michels' take: "A health crisis, and the stresses that emerge from it, can result in varied psychological responses. Many people experience significant anxious symptoms with a cancer diagnosis. However, others find that the larger threat of such a condition quiets pre-existing anxiety, given that there are new demands to attend to. The treatment protocols for cancer can be overwhelming but also distracting, dominating a patient’s focus. This can have the effect of grounding or settling prior diffuse anxiety."
  
  Reply