Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life when faced with a problem at work or contemplating options when making an important decision. When anxiety does not turn off and feels like it’s getting worse with irrational worry and uncontrollable fear, is when anxiety is a mental health issue.
Anxiety is a mental health issue which is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including:
- A sense of restlessness
- Being on-edge or wound-up
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble Sleeping
- Irritability
- Headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains.
When anxiety continues to be uncontrolled, it can trigger panic attacks. Panic attacks are brief episodes of extreme fear. They may be mistaken for heart attacks or strokes but are triggered by anxiety rather than physical health issues. Panic attacks can occur suddenly and usually peak within ten minutes. Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes.
Some symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate or chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Trembling or tingling
- Feelings of doom or imminent danger
- Feeling out of control
- Chills or hot flashes
Sometimes panic attacks are isolated incidents, but if a person has had at least two panic attacks and lives in fear of having another may have a more serious issue, and is highly recommended to seek an appointment with a professional. Every case is unique and requires individual attention. There are several effective complementary ways of treating anxiety, including:
- Talk therapy
- Medication
- Changes in lifestyle
- Regular exercise
- Avoiding stimulants