|
Description
Stress can come from any circumstance or
thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious.
What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful
to another.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or
fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or
recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.
Summary & Considerations
Stress is a normal part of life. In small
quantities, stress is good -- it can inspire and help
individuals to be more constructive. Though, too much
stress, or a strong reaction to stress, can in fact harm
your mind and your body over time. This can set up an
individual for general poor health, as well as, specific
physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart
disease, or depression. Continual and unrelenting stress
often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like
overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.
Anxiety is an emotion often
accompanied by various physical symptoms, including:
- Twitching or trembling
- Muscle tension
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of
stress especially in a child)
Occasionally other symptoms
accompany anxiety:
- Dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
- Fatigue
- Irritability, including loss of your temper
- Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
- Decreased concentration
- Sexual problems
Stress and Anxiety: Common Causes
Stress can be from fear of an actual
danger (an appropriate reaction), an emotional circumstance
(like grief or depression), or a physical condition (such as
overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack).
Particular drugs, both recreational and
medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either
side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include
caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, decongestants,
bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants,
cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, Ritalin (frequently used
for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and thyroid
medications.
A poor diet can also add to stress or
anxiety - for instance, low levels of vitamin B12.
Performance anxiety is nervousness related to specific
situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in
public. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress
disorder that develops after a traumatic event such as war,
physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster.
In extremely uncommon cases, a tumor of
the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of
anxiety. This happens due to an overproduction of hormones
responsible for the feelings and symptoms of anxiety.
Stress and Anxiety: Home Care &
Treatment
The most successful solution is to
discover and address the source of your stress or anxiety.
Regrettably, this is not always possible.
A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might
be making you "stress out":
- What do you worry about most?
- Is something constantly on your mind?
- Does anything in particular make you sad or
depressed?
Then, find someone you confide in
(friend, family member, neighbor, clergy) who will listen to
you. Sometimes, just talking to a friend or loved one is all
that is needed to alleviate anxiety. Most communities also
have resources like support groups and hotlines that can
help. Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health
professionals are often needed for therapy and, possibly,
medication.
Also, take a look at your
lifestyle and find healthy ways to cope with stress. For
example:
- Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't
overeat.
- Get adequate amounts of sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Don't use nicotine, cocaine, or other
recreational drugs.
- Learn and practice relaxation techniques like
guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga,
tai chi, or meditation. Try biofeedback with a
certified professional to get you started.
- Take time off from work. Make sure to balance
fun activities with your responsibilities.
- Spend time with individuals you enjoy.
Contact your local emergency
number (such as 911) if:
- You have overwhelming chest pain, particularly
with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A
heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.
- You have feelings of suicide.
- You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing
heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than
usual.
Contact your health care provider
if the following occur:
- You are unable to work or function well at home
due to anxiety.
- You do not know the source or cause of your
anxiety.
- You have a sudden feeling of panic.
- You are taking a medication or using a drug that
may cause feelings of anxiety.
- You have an uncontrollable fear - for example,
of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a
fear of heights.
- You repeat an action over and over again, like
constantly washing your hands.
- You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss
despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the
front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid
may be overactive.
- Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a
traumatic event.
- You have tried self-care measures for several
weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety
will not resolve without professional help.
Stress Management Treatment
If you or someone you know would like to
talk with one of our trained staff to discuss treatment
options for Stress Management treatment please contact us 24
hours a day, 7 days a week at our t oll free number:
1-866-874-9774. You will receive a free consultation. |
