Occasional feelings of anxiety are a normal part of life, especially before important moments like school exams, job interviews, or medical procedures. You might experience some worry or fear about a financial hardship, health issue, or a disagreement with a loved one, for example. Anxiety is considered a typical response to these types of situations.
However, persistent anxiety is different. It can cause you to feel worried or stressed even when there are no obvious causes for anxiety, or it might lead you to think things are much worse than they really are. This type of persistent worry and fear can interfere with daily activities at home and at work. In some cases, the anxiety can flare up at unexpected moments and become incredibly intense, leading to a panic attack.
Even if you’re aware of these things, however, it’s not always easy to recognize anxiety in yourself and others. When you’re the one experiencing it, you may be used to the ongoing stress and unable to see just how severe your anxiety really is. When it’s a close friend or family member who is struggling with anxiety, they might downplay their level of stress in order to avoid worrying their loved ones.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of anxiety is critical to ensuring that you or someone you love is able to receive the care they need. Learn more about how to recognize anxiety and what to do if you think you or someone you love has an anxiety disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety is often accompanied by symptoms like:
- Feeling easily fatigued
- Nervousness, tension, or restlessness
- Uncontrollable overthinking or racing thoughts
- Heightened alertness
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Trouble concentrating
- Dissociation
- Feeling a sense of doom or panic
- Breathing rapidly
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Dry mouth
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Changes in appetite
- Dizziness and fainting
Remember, these symptoms do not indicate an anxiety disorder if they only occur occasionally and are generally mild in nature. But if the symptoms last for several weeks to months and significantly interfere with someone’s daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder.
What to Do When You Notice Anxiety Symptoms
To recognize anxiety in yourself, consider keeping a journal where you track your symptoms. How often do they occur? Are they affecting your ability to function or interfering in your relationships? If you notice patterns occurring, talk to your doctor. You can discuss whether anxiety is the root cause of your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan customized to your needs.
It can be harder to notice symptoms in family members or friends, especially if you don’t see them every day. However, there are a few indicators of anxiety that you can watch for, such as:
- They often talk about being anxious or worried about future events.
- They avoid social situations and often retreat to their home or another “safe” place.
- They talk about having trouble sleeping or seem more tired than usual.
- They appear to have difficulty concentrating.
- They have moments of panic with physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or heavy breathing.
- They have started showing some physical changes, such as weight gain or loss or neglecting their personal hygiene.
If you notice these possible signs of anxiety, broach the topic with them in a gentle manner. Ask how you can help and support the idea of pursuing treatment. Above all, let them know you are there for them and be patient when they are experiencing difficulties due to their anxiety.
Treatments for Anxiety
If you are experiencing persistent anxiety, you’re not alone. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. Every year, 40 million adults (18.1% of the population) is affected by an anxiety disorder.
Fortunately, there are a number of available treatments for anxiety. Traditional treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants. While these options may be effective, it can take weeks to months before they begin to relieve anxiety symptoms, and they may have unpleasant side effects.
One alternative treatment for anxiety that has shown remarkable results is Ketamine Infusion Therapy. This type of treatment can have a calming effect on the nervous system that works within a matter of days or weeks rather than months. There are no long-term side effects, and a full treatment series typically involves only five or six infusions.
If you’re interested in treating anxiety with Ketamine Infusion Therapy, contact Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles to learn more. You may be able to get started on your treatment soon so you can find the relief you need faster than with other treatments. If you know someone who may be struggling with anxiety, talk to them about alternative treatments like Ketamine Therapy. Knowing that there are other options besides medication or talk therapy may help them overcome their concerns about treatment and seek the care they need for their anxiety.
