You Might Have An Anxiety Disorder If You Notice These Signs
Posted on: 4 September 2017
Many people suffer from anxiety at certain times, but these emotions can leave as quickly as they come. For others, it's possible to constantly be wrestling with anxiety to the point that you're diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder. More than 18 percent of adults across the nation suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. You may not have sought treatment for your anxiety, but that doesn't mean that you have an anxiety disorder. If you've noticed the following signs, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional:
Your Anxiety Affects Your Everyday Life
Those with anxiety disorders can often experience their disorder affecting their life on a day-by-day basis. There are several ways that this problem can occur. For example, if you're experiencing a heightened degree of anxiety about being in a car accident, you may do all that you can to avoid ever having to go out. While staying at home will certainly keep you safe from being in an accident, this behavior can affect your quality of life — perhaps to the point that you begin to lose friendships because you never get together with anyone.
You Use Substances To Dull Your Anxiety
It's common for those with anxiety disorders to self-medicate in order to lessen their symptoms. This behavior might work in the short term, but it can often lead to other issues that can affect your health. For example, if you suffer from anxiety and find that having a beer or two can make you less anxious, you'll often be quick to turn to alcohol as a self-medication strategy. Over time, however, your desire to consume alcohol may increase — especially if your anxiety is also increasing and you want to keep it at bay. Your efforts to self-medicate could eventually lead you to alcoholism.
Your Anxiety Is Irrational
While some people with anxiety disorders cannot take a step back and realize that their anxiousness is unfounded, some people can. Ideally, you'll be in the latter group. Try to evaluate why you're feeling anxious and what you're feeling anxious about. Although there are many reasons that you might feel anxious, you should be concerned if you're experiencing a high degree of anxiety about something that is irrational. For example, you might be paranoid at night of having someone break into your home, despite the fact that you live in a safe neighborhood and have a state-of-the-art security system.
Contact a medical office like T M S Center of Nebraska LLC for more information and assistance.
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