Beyond Anxiety and Depression - anxiety signs

The 5 main Anxiety Symptoms in Women

Gloria Goodwin — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 02:45:45 +0000

Anxiety is the unpleasant feeling of concern and fear characterized by emotional, somatic, behavioral and cognitive components. Anxiety brings the feeling of fear, uneasiness, worry and dread. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and can help an individual in dealing with demanding situations where one may decide to stay and fight or flight. However, when the amount of anxiety becomes overwhelming, it produces detrimental symptoms that may be unhealthy or hinder the normal functioning of the individual.

Anxiety Symptoms in Women

Women are under a lot of pressure these days and therefore they are more likely to be attacked by extreme levels of anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety in women are natural reactions to stressful situations and are normal. Extreme anxiety however evokes overreactions that if not dealt with, can lead to misery in women.

Women in the public eye aren't immune to anxiety either. There are many female celebrities speaking opening about their battles with anxiety in the hope it will provide some advice and insight for other woman. Below are the 5 main anxiety symptoms in women that indicate extreme anxiety.

1. Exhaustion and chronic fatigue

Women get more anxious when they have more stressing responsibilities at hand. This anxiety can then zap the body depriving it of necessary energy to operate effectively in every day's life. On the same note, anxiety can lead to cases of chronic fatigue which will demand for a rest or threaten to tear you down. A feeling of strong exhaustion is also common in women with anxiety. This can happen even without necessarily doing anything strenuous or demanding. Both chronic fatigue and exhaustion can possibly be eliminated by a good night's rest in addition to relaxation exercises.

2. Dizziness and feelings of faint

Dizziness is an impairment in stability and spatial perception that may sometimes be accompanied by migraines or headaches. Dizziness cause anxious women to become clumsy, disoriented or unbalanced. This feeling can cause increased risks of serious injury and accidents. Feelings of faint can have a very strong impact once they kick in and they are usually common in chronic stages of anxiety in women. The come about as a result of impeding or disturbing situation that causes intense worry. The best remedy for dizziness and feelings of faint is to seat down, relax and take deep and calming breaths.

3. Obsession

Obsession is a very common psychological symptom in women suffering from anxiety. Women with anxiety will be obsessed and worry about anything, right from petty futile things to bigger problems, real or imagined. This habit normally presents itself as a simple issue yet it can be very hard to handle. Obsession can be also accompanied by automatic negative thoughts about events and situation and a pessimistic outlook towards life. Long term obsession can be very stressful and may lead to psychological traumas and memory lapses.

4. Waking up in the middle of the night and night sweats

Night sweats are a characteristic symptom in anxious women especially when they fear an upcoming event or situation the next day. In such cases, a woman will go to bed worried and acutely stressed, this makes staying asleep or even falling asleep close to impossible. Constant worry and stress can result to nightmares and other related conditions like night terrors. To control night sweats and occasional sleep interruptions due to anxiety, consider taking some kind of sleeping pills or any other over the counter sleeping aid.

5. Isolation

Some women suffering from anxiety may express some social phobia symptoms such as isolation, irritability or panic attacks. Women with anxiety will feel more safe on their own and away from other people or crowds. They will not go out and will avoid interacting with their friends and family. Generally, they become paranoid that the world is dangerous and not a safe place to mingle freely. The best option to deal with isolation is to find something that you enjoy doing and use it as a way to get to mingle and interact with your friends. If you find it hard to handle it by yourself, several sessions with the psychologist might work the trick. Apart from the 5 main anxiety symptoms in women named above, there are many other minor symptoms of anxiety that women may suffer from. The first and most important step to take is to relax and re-examine the possible causes of the anxiety feeling and work on how to control it. It is advisable to talk to someone who can help so that you came up with useful coping strategies for anxiety.

Facts and Tips on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

Gloria Goodwin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 03:22:27 +0000

No one is exactly the same when it comes to personality and level of shyness or social anxiety. There are individuals who can stay out in public and thrive when there is a lot of activity while others will avoid this altogether. Any level of shyness or social anxiety has its pros and cons but there may come a time when severe anxiety completely prevents a person from leaving their home.

Liebowitz and His Social Anxiety Test

Since there are so many different levels of shyness and social anxiety, it is necessary to be able to measure it. The Liebowitz social anxiety scale was created by psychiatrist Michael Liebowitz to assess a person's level of public anxiety. The test consists of 24 items. 11 of these items pertain to social situation whereas the other 13 regard performance anxiety. This test was and still is used to determine the range of social interactions as well as performance anxiety within patients who have been diagnosed with various types of social anxiety disorder, which in 1980 were classified as psychiatric disorders.

Components of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in More Detail

There are all sorts of social situations that a person including yourself might find themselves in. The 11 scenarios documented in this test are very common and happen in everyday life. Such situations include:

Going to a party;
Hosting a party;
Talking to superiors such as a boss;
Calling a person that you don't know very well;
Talking to a person that you aren't acquainted with;
Meeting someone new;
Disagreeing with someone you don't know very well;
Being in the spotlight of a social gathering;
Looking a stranger in the eyes;
Resisting a salesperson that is pressuring you;
Returning or exchanging products at a store.

There are 13 more questions on the test that concern performance anxiety. These include:

Giving a report or presentation to a group of people;
Trying to pick up a person at a social gathering;
Participating in meetings;
Taking an exam or test;
Entering a room where there are already people waiting or seated;
Using a public washroom;
Writing while someone is watching you;
Working while someone is watching you;
Performing or acting in front of a group of people;
Eating in public areas;
Drinking in public areas;
Talking within small groups of people such as friends or colleagues;
Using the telephone in public areas.

The Importance of Honesty for the Test

When answering these questions, you are asked to give a number between 0 and 3. The lower the number, the less anxiety you feel and the fewer times you avoid the situation. The higher the number, the more you feel anxious and the more times you avoid them. While answering higher numbers to a variety of questions does not mean that you have social anxiety disorder, if you feel anxious for many of them, you may want to consult a doctor. The key to obtaining an accurate result with the Liebowitz social anxiety scale is answering honestly. You can deny the right answers if you wish but you will not obtain an accurate test result.

Treatment for Diagnosed Social Anxiety Disorders

The first step in getting help is to admit that you need it. With any self help for any issue, this has to be done because otherwise the treatments or therapy will not have the same effect. Once you have decided that you need help, there are forms of assistance that can reduce these fears that you have with social situations and public performances. There are prescription drugs, natural medicines as well as therapy available. Paroxetine is often prescribed for those who experience social anxiety because of the physical symptoms that they may experience, however, this isn't always necessary. It is possible to combat these fears with support groups, friends and family, and natural anxiety treatments. Sometimes a little boost in self esteem can be the answer as well.

Obtaining a Diagnosis

Of course, obtaining a proper diagnosis is always important. You can take this social anxiety test anywhere you are because all you have to do is answer the questions with the number that honestly describes your feelings in the said situations. In the event that you do receive a moderate to severe score on the test, you are recommended to see a doctor. The physician will tell you the best options based on how you wish to solve the condition. Drugs aren't always the recommended course of action considering self-help can address many social anxiety issues.

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6 tips on How to Prevent Anxiety

Gloria Goodwin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:52:54 +0000

If you suffer from anxiety, you may think that you are lost in a hopeless battle against your own thoughts and feelings. Fortunately, the more you learn about anxiety, the more you will come to understand that there are ways to control your thoughts and relieve the emotional and physical effects of the disease. Here are six tips for preventing anxiety from entering your daily life:

Six tips for Preventing Anxiety

Gain Knowledge

Anxiety has its root causes in the unknown; the more knowledgeable you are about a subject, the less likely it is to cause you anxiety. For instance, if you are anxious about your doctor's appointment, find out what will occur during your appointment and what the possible outcomes could be. If you are worried about an exam, speak with your professor to be sure that you are studying the correct material. The more you research the things that are causing you to be anxious, the more you will be able to control your feelings.

Get Out of Your Head

If you are so worried about something in your life that you are on the verge of an anxiety attack, get yourself out of the house and out of your head. While you may not feel like getting up and moving, once you're out, you'll be hard-pressed to keep worrying. Call up a friend or two and see a movie, take a run or play some board games. No matter what you do, getting out of the house will allow you to forget your troubles for a bit and, when your night is over, you may be able to look at your problems from a new perspective.

Exercise Often

People who have a regular exercise routine experience far less anxiety than people who are sedentary. Exercising for at least 20 minutes every day releases endorphins in your brain that promote a healthy mood. The type of exercise that you perform doesn't matter as much as the act itself. You can walk, job, rollerblade, lift weights, dance, play your Wii or even clean the house; the point is to get moving on a regular basis.

Stay in the Now

Learning how to stay in the present takes practice but, once you attain the skill, you'll find your anxiousness melting away. By focusing on what is going on around you at this moment in time, you won't be able to worry about the past or become anxious about the future. To learn this new skill, sit still and pay attention to what is going on around you. Make note of the things that you see, hear, smell and feel. Practice doing this for a few minutes several times each day. As you begin to learn to stay in the present, you can quickly stop your worries from overtaking your thoughts.

Eat Right

It's the rare person that doesn't know that eating right promotes physical health, but many people don't realize that proper nutrition has an important affect on mental health as well. If your body is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, you may be more prone to feelings of anxiousness and stress. By avoiding processed foods and eating foods that are more natural, you can help to ensure that your body is getting all that it needs. While you are eating a healthier diet, avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and can amplify feelings of anxiousness in people who suffer with the disease.

Natural Remedies

There are dozens of natural remedies available to those that struggle to cope with anxiety. You don't have to wait for an anxiety attack to put one of these remedies to use. In fact, if you use these natural anxiety remedies on a daily basis, you may find that anxiety doesn't set in to begin with. Almonds, warm milk, rosemary tea and the scent of oranges are all natural remedies for anxiety and stress. Look into these remedies and decide how you can incorporate them into your daily life to stave off negative feelings. The best cure for anxiety is to prevent it from occurring. If you utilize the six tips above, you'll find that you don't experience anxiety as frequently as you have in the past. If you utilize the tips above on a regular basis, you may even find that you rid yourself of anxiety altogether.

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The 9 Most Common Causes of Anxiety

Gloria Goodwin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:48:13 +0000

Social anxiety can range from being a minor annoyance to a crippling state of mind. If you are a shy person, then you are naturally going to experience a bit of anxiety in social situations - it's part of your personality. And by working on yourself and becoming aware of your responses you can improve how you feel. But for some, shyness causes social anxiety to be extreme, and it takes more than effort to overcome this condition. Learning to recognize the common triggers and causes of anxiety is a starting point for getting better. Here are some of the possible causes of social anxiety.

Common Causes of Anxiety

1. Others

Yes, it's best to just admit it - if it weren't for other people, this wouldn't be a problem. But of course, practically speaking, we have to live in a social world, and we will have to be in social situations with others from time to time. With experience the shy person has learned to avoid as many uncomfortable scenes as possible, and thus to keep the anxiety to a minimum. But when it comes to friendship and companionship, we simply need others in our lives, whether they are the ultimate cause of anxiety or not.

2. Low self-esteem

We live in a time when self-esteem has been elevated to an extreme importance for parents and other caretakers. There is even a backlash of sorts that says that we put too much emphasis on never criticizing or telling children that they can do better. But for many shy people, low self-esteem is no joke - they see themselves as incompetent, unlovable, unattractive, and undeserving. They are almost always wrong in their personally biased judgements, but that doesn't mean the feelings aren't anxiety provoking.

3. Poor self image

We also live in a society that values external appearances and has apparently set very high standards for beauty. Those of us with a poor self image are constantly measuring ourselves against these impossibly high standards, and finding ourselves lacking. When a person cannot see his or her own strengths as well as weaknesses, it causes anxiety, especially around other people.

4. Low self-confidence

Many of the causes of social anxiety are characterized by the chicken or egg conundrum. Clearly, if you have low self-esteem and a poor image of yourself, you will lack confidence in social situations. But some people may be OK with themselves in private but feel anxious in groups, and their low confidence then results in a lower level of self esteem, and a tendency to criticize themselves. Either way, a person's degree of self-confidence is an important indicator of anxiety levels for the shy type.

5. No support system

Because people who suffer from social anxiety have shunned situations in which they have to interact with others, they have gradually lost membership in possible support systems. These might include churches, clubs, or any group situations that ordinarily would result in friends and simply having people to talk to. Rather than increasing social contacts, the shy person cuts them out and thus increases anxiety when a situation is forced.

6. Abuse or neglect

One of the root causes of social anxiety is the experience of being abused or neglected in childhood. This is a very serious problem to deal with and if assistance is not sought, it will be very hard to overcome when adulthood is reached. It is also the primary cause of many other behavioral issues that may contribute to being shy and withdrawn, and having high levels of anxiety in social situations.

7. Over-parenting

There is also a possibility that the shy person was smothered and overprotected as a child, The phenomenon of over-parenting has only been recognized as a problem in the last few decades, but it is seen as a cause for a person developing an aversion to being in groups. Anyone who has been sheltered in such an unnatural way is going to find reasons to avoid uncomfortable experiences.

8. Bullying and hazing experiences

Some of us shy folks were actually just fine until starting public school. The effects of bullies and hazing experiences at all levels of school can be devastating in later life, for many different personality types. But for the shy person, such experiences are especially painful, because instead of outgrowing and overcoming them, the negative life events are allowed to take over and result in extreme social anxiety. No one who feels this way wants to risk going through those kinds of painful and embarrassing experiences again.

9. Lack of positive experiences

Finally, the socially anxious person has missed out on many possible positive outcomes, so he or she has little reason to pursue any kind of social experience. Over time the problems at the root of social awkwardness and discomfort cause an avoidance of any such potential situations, and there is a reduced chance of having a good experience. All of these causes of anxiety in social situations are not mutually exclusive, and they interact with each other and reinforce each other as time goes by. But there is help for the extremely shy person who makes a commitment to change and improvement. It may be difficult to reach out for that help, but knowing the root reasons for your problem can be the first step on the road to recovery.

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Do I have Anxiety - 10 signs to look for

Gloria Goodwin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:12:04 +0000

It is totally normal to feel scared and tense when facing a stressful situation in life. Anxiety is a natural response of your body towards danger. It might be regarded as your body's automatic alarm system that goes off when you feel vulnerable and threatened. In moderation, it is not always bad to feel anxious. In fact, anxiety might help you to stay focused and find a solution to the problem. However, when it becomes constant and interferes with your activities and relationships, it is not helpful anymore. That's when you are required to take action as you have crossed the line and are into anxiety disorders' territory. There are numerous symptoms of anxiety, and their intensity, number and frequency will vary from individual to individual as each person has a unique chemical make-up.

Anxiety Symptoms associated with body:

1. Allergy problems: Your allergies become worse than before. You will notice that you are allergic to more substance and the allergic reactions are frequent and take longer to subside.

2. Looking pale: Anxiety makes you feel pale and blanched. You will look sickly and pasty.

3. Heart palpitations: It is one of the most common symptoms of anxiety. You will feel like your heard is racing, pounding, beating fast, skips a beat, beating too hard, or stops and collapses in the chest. Mostly when you feel your heart skips a beat, flops, or stops, it produces a tickly feeling in your chest and makes you cough. During such situation if you measure your pulse, you will observe that your heartbeats are haphazardly spaced. The rhythm of your heart might be normal or irregular during anxiety. You might also feel palpitation in your throat, chest, or neck area.

4. Dizziness: Anxiety makes you feel suddenly woozy, light-hearted, and dizzy. You may experience a feeling like the room is spinning. Furthermore, you can feel like fainting or passing out. Sometimes you might also think like the floor is moving, and it will be difficult for you to balance and stand up straight. You will most probably have difficulty in placing your feet at the right place as your perception of ground will be wrong at that moment, and you will be disoriented. In some cases, people have reported that they feel like they are firmly standing on the floor but the floor is moving or vibrating. Unfortunately, this symptom is sometimes stubborn and persists if we do not take proper action for its elimination.

5. Chest pains: People having anxiety feel pressure, pain, muscle twitching, shooting pains, numbness, burning, fullness, or uneasiness in the chest region. These pains or sensations might be positioned in one spot, or might shift all over the chest region. The pain(s) can also radiate to the right shoulder, left shoulder, or the breasts. Such sensations can be sporadic or remain indefinitely. You may experience sharp piercing or stabbing, or persistent tightness, or any other combination.

Anxiety Symptoms associated with mind:

6. Brain fog: You will feel difficulty concentrating, thinking and forming thoughts. Your thinking will feel like impaired and muddled. Some people regard this feeling as being foggy headed. You will feel difficulty in comprehending and recalling things that you once knew, and your thoughts will seem illusive.

7. Depersonalization: Anxiety will make you feel disconnected from the real world. The person feels like he or she is not a part of what is going on. We can regard it as a dream like state. Sometimes, you will feel very unreal and think you are losing your mind. These thoughts might have you questioning your sanity. Consequently, it will make you panic with nervousness and fear. Things around you might seem like shimmering, hazy, foggy, or tunnel like.

8. Nightmares: People having anxiety problems might have frequent nightmares or bad dreams.

9. Fear or losing control: In a group or crowded area, you might believe that you will do something embarrassing, like passing out, gagging, vomiting, stumbling, etc. It may be difficult to control your body among people resulting in a self-conscious feeling.

10. Déjà Vu: Anxiety makes you feel like you have experienced the present situation before. Listed above are some of the common symptoms of anxiety. If you are experiencing a combination of any of these feelings, there is no need to be concerned as there are a number of solutions to this problem. By following some simple methods or procedure, you can effortlessly eliminate anxiety from your life.

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Anticipatory Anxiety Explained

Gloria Goodwin — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:02:07 +0000

Every human being is engineered to feel anxiety and fear when he or she is about to face a situation that has scared him or her in the past and has caused a feeling of vulnerability. It could be flying on an aircraft, addressing a crowd or a group of people, or going out with someone on a first date. Most people have experienced fear in such situations, and this fear is regarded as anticipatory anxiety by the experts. Our body prepares for the event in a number of ways. Sweaty palms, upset stomach and racing heart are three of the most common symptoms experienced by people having anxiety. Our body is programmed to anticipate and expect the worst. Therefore, it prepares itself to get out of dangerous situations. Anticipatory anxiety is part of that preparation process. The major problem is that we feel anxious even if we are not in a dangerous situation at all. Feeling anticipatory anxiety in such cases is no doubt undesirable, and with better understanding of anxiety problems, we can easily limit their harmful effects on our life.

Anticipatory Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Every person on this earth has anticipatory anxiety at some point in his or her life. An individual doesn't have to have anxiety problems or psychiatric anxiety disorders to experience it. Nevertheless, anticipatory anxiety is reportedly a major component of panic disorders. According to the definition, people with panic disorder experience panic attacks that consist of the classic anticipatory anxiety symptoms and side effects. Some of the most common signs include:

Shortness of breath
Rapid heartbeat
Upset stomach
Dizziness
Cold chills or Hot flashes
Tingling or Numbness

Sometimes the physical symptoms related to panic attack are so intense that the person experiencing them feels like having a heart attack. The first panic attack for people with panic disorder is totally unexpected. However, after the first panic attack the individual feels constant anticipatory anxiety because of the fear of having a second attack. The same is true for people having different phobias. They experience anticipatory anxiety about the thing they fear the most and do everything to keep away from it, even if it requires them to drive across the country to pass up travelling on an airplane.

Anticipatory Anxiety Symptoms

Anticipatory anxiety might be persistent if you find yourself thinking and worrying about something for days or months, such as losing a career in a declining economy, losing a loved one, etc.

Symptoms associated with mind: Besides feeling fearful and anxious, you might also experience the following:

Anger
Hopelessness
Confusion
Numbness
Loss of control
Sadness
Irritability
Moodiness
Guilt
Preoccupation with the fear

Sometimes the person is so preoccupied by the anticipated threat that he or she cannot concentrate or make rational decision despite of trying very hard. If you are experiencing persistent or chronic anticipatory anxiety, you are most likely to discover that you are retreating from people in your life and things that you used to enjoy. You can also have problems regarding your memory.

Physical symptoms: Some of the physical symptoms related to anticipatory anxiety include:

Tense muscles
Stomach problems
Headaches
Changes in appetite
Alteration in sleep patterns
Fatigue

Managing Anticipatory Anxiety

There are various ways to cope with anticipatory anxiety. Some of these methods include:

1. Imagination

Mostly, anticipatory anxiety is a result of fear of future. Therefore, the best way to get rid of it is by admitting that we are unable to predict the future. Any situation we imagine is nothing but a fabrication and speculation. Picturing positive outcomes and being optimistic about your future can significantly reduce anxiety.

2. Dialogue with yourself

Mostly, people with anticipatory anxiety tend to ask themselves questions, like "what if I get fired?"" what if I get lost?", and if you find yourself wondering the same things, stop thinking at that moment and take a deep breath. Consider the possible positive outcomes. This technique will help you immensely in controlling your anxiety. If you are still unable to relax, distract yourself with things like movies, music, exercise and puzzles.

3. Mental Health

If you have chronic anticipatory anxiety, it is better for you to seek professional help. There are countless treatment options offered by mental health care providers.

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Beyond Anxiety and Depression - anxiety signs

The 5 main Anxiety Symptoms in Women

Anxiety Symptoms in Women

1. Exhaustion and chronic fatigue

2. Dizziness and feelings of faint

3. Obsession

4. Waking up in the middle of the night and night sweats

5. Isolation

Other Articles you might be interested in:

Facts and Tips on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

Liebowitz and His Social Anxiety Test

Components of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in More Detail

The Importance of Honesty for the Test

Treatment for Diagnosed Social Anxiety Disorders

Obtaining a Diagnosis

6 tips on How to Prevent Anxiety

Six tips for Preventing Anxiety

Get Out of Your Head

Exercise Often

Stay in the Now

Eat Right

Natural Remedies

The 9 Most Common Causes of Anxiety

Common Causes of Anxiety

2. Low self-esteem

3. Poor self image

4. Low self-confidence

5. No support system

6. Abuse or neglect

7. Over-parenting

8. Bullying and hazing experiences

9. Lack of positive experiences

Do I have Anxiety - 10 signs to look for

Anxiety Symptoms associated with body:

Anxiety Symptoms associated with mind:

Anticipatory Anxiety Explained

Anticipatory Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anticipatory Anxiety Symptoms

Managing Anticipatory Anxiety

1. Imagination

2. Dialogue with yourself

3. Mental Health