UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS

Some worrying about day-to-day events is our body’s normal response to stress. But when this worrying becomes excessive and begins to affect a person’s health and quality of living, there may be a medical problem. The Nebraska Medical Association urges you to be on the look out for signs of an anxiety disorder in yourself or your loved ones.

A common warning sign of an anxiety disorder is an ongoing feeling of worry and nervousness for no apparent reason. Anxiety disorders can create physical symptoms, including headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, fatigue, tightness and discomfort in the throat and chest, and insomnia. A person suffering from an anxiety disorder may appear overly nervous, irritable or depressed. More serious forms of anxiety disorders are panic attacks and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Fortunately, treatments exist for anxiety disorders. It is important to see a medical professional when feelings of anxiety and nervousness persist. Counseling or anti-anxiety medication, or a combination of the two, can be used to help alleviate many of the physical and behavioral symptoms caused by anxiety disorders. Contact your physician for more information on treating anxiety disorders.