Anxiety Symptoms Can Sideline A Life

With million of Americans suffering from one anxiety disorder or another, this mental illness is considered one of the most predominate and costly in the country. An estimated $22.8 billion is spent on anxiety-related problems each year. Understanding why these disorders are so debilitating starts with taking a closer look at anxiety symptoms. In their worst forms, they can cause people to completely isolate themselves from the world outside.

Which anxiety symptoms will appear in a person does depend a lot on the severity of the condition and the type of anxiety disorder present. Some symptoms are fairly common in people with anxiety conditions, but others tend to center around one specific disorder or another.

Some of the more common anxiety symptoms include:

• Extreme worry and tension. This may or may not be related to an irrational worry or concern.
• Unrealistic views. When people continually make mountains out of mole hills, this can be a sign of anxiety disorder.
• Angst. People with anxiety symptoms tend to be a bit on edge and are generally quite restless.
• Headaches. This is a “physical” symptom that can go along with some anxiety disorders. Other physical manifestations include sweating, nausea, muscle tightness and frequent urination.
• Lack of focus. Having a difficult time concentrating is a potential anxiety symptom. This is especially the case when concentration is blocked by other concerns.
• Insomnia. This is a very common anxiety symptom. When a person suffers from insomnia, it can also lead to irritability and crankiness.

Anxiety symptoms can range a great deal from person to person. If panic attacks happen to be present, they will tend to present with their own set of symptoms. In addition to the above anxiety symptoms, a person who suffers from attacks might feel:

• Extreme, sudden fear. Some people describe panic attacks as if it feels like a bus is hitting them. Without warning, they strike and overwhelm a person with fear - irrational or otherwise.
• Heart palpitations. A racing heart that feels like it is beating out of a chest is a very common sign of a panic attack. This is one of the reasons why many people believe they are having a heart attack.
• Fear of dying. Because of the physical symptoms of panic attacks, some people truly believe they are succumbing to deal in the throes of an episode.
• Trembling. Uncontrollable shaking, sweating and other physical signs can go along with an attack.

Anxiety symptoms are felt by millions of people a year. In many cases, the symptoms are transient and might not ever return. For others, however, the symptoms become a part of life and generally require professional help to treat.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Goes Beyond The Norm

Almost every child ever born suffers from a touch of separation anxiety at some point in the toddler years. Somewhere between the ages of about 18 months and three years, a child will have an incredibly difficult time when a parent is out of sight. Crying, temper tantrums and overall agitation and angst are not uncommon. When these symptoms do not go away with appropriate distractions or they persist later in life, separation anxiety disorder might be present.

Separation anxiety disorder is said to affect about 4% of children from the ages of four up. When a child suffers from severe angst and fears about leaving home or being away from parents or other family, red flags are generally raised. It is important to keep in mind that actual separation anxiety disorder does go well beyond normal homesickness or fears, however.

Some of the more common behaviors in children with actual separation anxiety disorder include:

• Use of avoidance tactics to not separate themselves from parents or loved ones. They will try everything they can think of to not have to go somewhere by themselves.
• Extreme defiance about going to school, day care or other places where they will be separated from their caregivers.
• Following behaviors. Children that incessantly follow their parents or other family members around might have issues with separation anxiety disorder.
• Fear of sleeping alone. While this can be a normal phase in childhood, children with separation anxiety disorder tend to take this to a new level. They will sometimes flatly refuse to sleep alone and will repeatedly turn up in their parents’ room at night.
• Nightmares. Children with separation anxiety disorder quite often have nightmares about being parted from friends or family.

Children with bona fide separation anxiety disorder quite often benefit from professional guidance and medical support. The condition is one that can be conquered, but it will take some effort on the family’s part, as well as the child’s.

One of the biggest problems that children with separation anxiety disorder face is the fact the more serious form is often brushed off as a normal “phase.” While each of the symptomatic scenarios are normal to an extent, when a child takes them beyond the norm or they persist too long, help is generally advised. The unfortunate thing about the disorder is that children are often unwittingly depriving themselves of normal, enjoyable childhood activities due to their overwhelming fears of separation.

Persistent social anxiety disorder is not common. When its symptoms appear, however, it is wise for parents to pay attention and react accordingly. Professionals can help children overcome their fears and learn to experience life more independently.