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MENTAL HEALTH 101

Anxiety

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide: 

Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566 or https://talksuicide.ca 

Call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency department 

What is Anxiety?

Everybody feels worried or nervous from time to time. Fear or worry are normal defense mechanisms that alert us to dangerous situations and keep us safe. It is when we worry about every day things or spend much of our time worrying that anxiety becomes a problem. Anxiety that interferes with our daily lives and activities is not normal and if you often suffer from this type of anxiety, you might have a generalized anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety is a symptom of another problem, like depression. Anxiety and depression are tightly linked and often seen together.

Symptoms of Anxiety

  • Tremors, shaking 

  • Chest fullness or discomfort 

  • Feeling your heart beating rapidly   

  • Feeling like you cannot breathe 

  • Light-headedness or dizziness 

  • Sweating or cold, clammy hands 

  • Feeling jumpy, being easily startled 

  • Tense, achy, or sore muscles 

  • Trouble sleeping or feeling like you cannot turn your brain off to sleep 

  • Fatigue 

  • Worrying too much, worrying about everything and anything 

  • Feeling restless, irritable or feeling on edge 

  • Fearing that something bad is going to happen; "impending doom" 

  • Inability to concentrate

How do I Know if it's an Anxiety Disorder?

If your anxiety symptoms are interfering with your home, social, school or work life, you may have an anxiety disorder and you should speak to your doctor. 

 

There are different types of anxiety disorders including: 

  • Panic Disorder - when you have panic attacks 

  • Social Anxiety Disorder -  anxiety related to being around other people or public places 

  • Illness Anxiety Disorder – anxiety about being sick or having different illnesses 

  • Phobias – anxiety about specific objects or situations 

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder – worrying about a variety of things; the most common type of anxiety disorder

What is a Panic or Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack is a feeling of extreme anxiety that comes on all of the sudden. It can feel like you are losing control or like you are about to die. Other symptoms include rapid breathing or hyperventilation, chest tightness, racing heart, dizziness, feeling sweaty or shaky. You might feel like you are having a heart attack.

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Panic attacks can be brought on by stress but sometimes they can happen out of the blue. They start rather suddenly and can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Sometimes they can last longer.

Treatment

Panic or anxiety attacks can be very distressing. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent anxiety attacks. Here are some tips: 

  • Limit your caffeine intake! Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, colas, energy drinks and chocolate 

  • Avoid nicotine products 

  • Avoid stimulant drugs like speed and cocaine 

  • Get some exercise every day 

  • Get plenty of rest 

  • Try stress-relief tecniques to relax your mind and body 

 

Sometimes people need medication to control their anxiety and prevent panic attacks. There are different types of anti-anxiety drugs and many are the same kinds we use to treat depression. This is because anxiety and depression are closely related. Counselling is also very helpful to retrain your brain and teach it to react differently to things that are making you anxious. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is particularly useful for people suffering from anxiety.

Anxiety Management Plan (CBT)

This is a free 45 lesson course that teaches what anxiety is and how to better control your symptoms. It is available for adults and children.

Download the MindShift CBT App Now

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