A person who suffers from generalized anxiety tends to worry about big and little issues and feels uncomfortable physical symptoms throughout most of the day.
This site will teach you ways to manage many of the symptoms of anxiety, including handling your worries, learning relaxation and breathing skills and the option of using medications. I will not, however, explore the issues in your life that might be causing or increasing your anxiety. Be careful not to simply treat the symptoms and neglect to address some of the stressors that might be influencing them. Talk to friend, family members, your minister or rabbi, or a trained mental health professional, if need be.
The most common worries are the small day-to-day concerns, like arriving on time or completing enough projects during the day. Other prominent concerns are health and illness, work or school performance, money and family.
The physical symptoms can include any of those on the chart below.
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS DURING ANXIETY
| Cardiovascular System | Genitourinary System |
|
tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) |
need for frequent urination |
|
palpitations (uncomfortable awareness of the heart rate) |
difficulty becoming sexually aroused or achieving orgasm (women) |
|
headaches |
difficulty maintaining an erection |
|
cold fingers |
Gastrointestinal System |
| Musculoskeletal System |
dry mouth |
|
muscles tense |
difficulty swallowing |
|
involuntary trembling of the body |
"butterflies" in the stomach |
|
tension headaches |
the gurgling sounds of gas in the intestines |
|
other aches and pains |
colon spasms |
| Central Nervous System |
diarrhea and/or constipation |
|
apprehensive, aroused and vigilant |
cramp-like pains in the upper stomach |
|
feeling "on edge," impatient, or irritable |
Respiratory System |
|
insomnia |
hyperventilation symptoms |
|
fatigue |
|
|
poor concentration |
 |
Don't Panic, Chapter 3. Panic within Psychological Disorders |
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MORE READING Don't Panic Chapter 3. Panic within Psychological Disorders |
