Cheryl Smith
reporter@greenepublishing.com
During the month of May, the Mental Health Foundation has chosen to focus on anxiety. Based on recent surveys conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, anxiety was reported by over a quarter of the adults surveyed. The survey stated that anxiety was severe enough to stop them from doing things they wanted to do.
Webster defines “anxiety” as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Anticipation can be exciting and everyone feels anxiety at times in their life, but when the anxiety becomes debilitating, then it can become an anxiety disorder. It is considered a mental health condition and symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and rapid heartbeat. Some find themselves incapacitated by anxiety, even in the absence of anything stressful in their lives. Symptoms can include but are not limited to: excessive worrying, racing thoughts, sleep disturbance, panic attacks, nausea and vomiting, muscle tension, flashbacks, and social anxiety.
Anxiety can be controlled through medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. See your doctor to determine if you have anxiety that is keeping you from living your life to the fullest.