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When people are anxious, they worry about danger or bad things happening in the future. These feelings are accompanied by a sense of tension. Sometimes people have a real reason to feel anxious, while other times there is no identifiable reason. Common symptoms of anxiety include dry mouth or difficulty swallowing or "lump" in their throat, rapid heartbeat, trembling legs or hands, sweaty palms, "butterflies" in the stomach, or a "lump" in the throat and a sudden urge to urinate.
Everyone has felt anxious. However, if a person is anxious and worries too much over a period of 6 months or more, they may have an anxiety problem. This person may worry about a wide range of things and find it difficult to stop worrying. This can occur in children or adults. People with this disorder may: - feel restless or edgy
- tire easily
- have problems concentrating
- feel cranky or irritable
- feel tension in their muscles and
- have trouble falling or staying asleep
Many things may cause or increase anxiety. These include caffeine, marijuana, cocaine, cold medications, and other drugs. Withdrawal from alcohol, cocaine, tobacco, and many prescription medications can cause anxiety. If you feel anxious after suddenly starting or suddenly stopping a new medication, this may be the cause. There are also medical conditions which can cause anxiety. Heart problems, breathing problems, lack of vitamins, blood sugar or thyroid problems can cause anxiety symptoms. For these reasons, it is always important to discuss any long-term anxiety with your doctor. If your anxiety is severe or long-term, counselling may help. A professional can help you learn ways to deal with your anxiety and determine the best kind of treatment for you. There are a variety of medications that can help decrease anxiety. There are also many behavioural techniques which work as well as medication for many people. Article #6707 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
