Anxiety 

The American Psychological Association describes anxiety as a feeling of tenseness accompanied by worrisome thoughts. Symptoms of anxiety can be both physical and mental.  Some of these symptoms include:

• Increased Blood pressure

• Intrusive thoughts of worry

• Avoidance due to worry

• Sweating

• Dizziness

• Rapid heartbeat

Anniversaries of traumatic events can also reactivate the emotions and thoughts associated with the trauma and trigger elevated anxious reactions. 

Anxiety can also lead to panic attacks, which are brief episodes of extreme fear. They may be mistaken for some physical ailment, but are actually psychological. A panic attack can create chest pain, sweating, or even heavy breathing.

Treatment for anxiety and/or panic attacks often utilize a combination of talk therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.  Clients are also given coping skills in the form of breathing and psycho-somatic exercises to help combat the feelings of unease and put the body into a more peaceful state.

Note: Jaclyn Yuki Birdsall, M.S., LMFT 133678 is not responsible for the content, claims or representations of the listed sites.