There are numerous reasons why you might be feeling anxious. While it might be anxiety-provoking in itself for you to begin thinking about the reasons for your anxiety, the bonus in doing so is that you might be able to make some quick changes in your lifestyle in order to have some immediate effects upon your anxiety. Even if you are not able to make any lifestyle changes at this time, just...
Do you feel nervous when you meet new people? Maybe it even makes you feel nervous to be around people whom you've known for a long time. Regardless, if you suffer from anxiety in social situations, then here are a few steps that you can take to help yourself feel better.
First, identify what you are afraid might happen in social situations. For example, are you afraid that you will...
You might wonder whether or not the anxiety you feel is normal. Here are some examples to help you understand everyday experiences of anxiety.
Q: Help! I'm deathly afraid of heights! Is this normal?
A: Lots of people have things that make them afraid. If you are afraid of heights, it's not considered to be a problem or abnormal unless it is interfering with your life. Consider the...
One way to cope with a lot of stress or anxiety is to use your imagination. Believe it or not, your ability to imagine can be a powerful way to decrease feelings of anxiety.
First, pick a scenario that you find relaxing and safe. For some people, their bedroom is a relaxing and safe place. For others, sitting on a warm beach might be a favorite spot.
Once you've picked a scenario,...
When you're anxious, you are anticipating the future. You might be afraid of a possible encounter with a spider... or worrying about the possible outcome of your recent blood tests... or trying to figure out if the racing heart you're feeling means that you're having a heart attack... or sitting frozen to your chair and fearing the many possible ways your boss might respond to your last...
Do you find yourself worrying all of the time? Do friends and family consider you a worrier? Chronic worry is a form of anxiety, and although everybody worries at one time or another, worry can become problematic when it becomes uncontrollable over an extended period of time. If you find that your worrying is interfering with your life, below are some steps to help you to regain control over...
Shop around! If you have a friend who has sought therapy, ask him/her for a referral. Even if your friend's therapist isn't available, you can ask the therapist for a recommendation to another therapist. You can also check out the phone book or online (under "psychologists", "counselors" or "mental health") for therapists in your area.
Ask about cognitive-behavioral therapy. Look for a...
Anxiety comes in many forms. Everyone feels anxious at some point in their life; it is normal to feel a bit anxious before an important exam or before giving a big speech. However, anxiety is problematic and can be considered a disorder when it begins to interfere with everyday activities. The following are basic descriptions of symptoms and experiences that are common for different types of...
