Anxiety and panic attacks come from both life stressors and non-threatening situations. Many people have reported feeling like they were having a heart attack. Some people report they are unable to breathe or catch their breath. Shaking, and increased body temperature are other symptoms of anxiety and panic. Approximately 40 million adults between the ages of 18 – 54 experience anxiety. (NIMH)
The frequent feeling of anxiety gives people anxiety. Thinking you might have anxiety can stir up anxiety. This means you end up having anxiety about having anxiety. A very common concern for people who struggle with anxiety and panic disorders is the fear of having a panic attack and anxiety. This fear prevents people from living their best life. They begin to avoid things such as social events, relationships, interactions with others, and stressors. The fear takes away the joy of living everyday life. Therapy helps you overcome your anxiety and panic. Learn healthy ways to decrease your anxiety.
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Benefits of going to counseling for anxiety
With our help experience a life filled with more peace and less worry. Embrace life again without fear. Experience nights of restful sleep instead of no sleep and nightmares. Our counseling gives you the tools you need to navigate anxiety with confidence. Move beyond fear, to find confidence and courage even in moments where you feel powerless. Learn how to handle the uncertainties and the daunting ‘what-ifs’ that life throws your way. Your journey towards a joyful life begins with us.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder
Anxiety is similar to panic but it tends to be less severe and more drawn out. Anxiety intensifies over a while. It often goes hand in hand with excessive worry. The symptoms of anxiety look a lot like the symptoms of a panic disorder.
Anxiety and panic are similar but different. Anxiety is less intense and may occur over days, weeks, and even months. Over time anxiety becomes stronger.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
- Dizziness
- Disturbed sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Increased startle response
- Increased heart rate
- Restlessness
- Shortness of breath.
The anxiety and trauma connection
Trauma and anxiety are closely linked. In many instances, trauma increases anxiety levels. This happens because traumatic experiences change how the brain reacts to perceived threats. This causes a state of constant alertness or fear, even in safe situations. Symptoms can include physical reactions like a rapid heartbeat, emotional responses like excessive worry, and behaviors like avoiding reminders of the trauma.
Going to counseling is an important step in overcoming anxiety. Our counseling offers you an opportunity to learn how to manage and decrease your anxiety. We also help you to heal from trauma. We provide a unique tailored counseling experience for your specific needs.
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Anxiety and narcissistic abuse
Feeling anxious while in a narcissistic abusive relationship is common. The upset stomach, racing heart, and tightness in your body are possible signs you are struggling with anxiety. Your body knows before you do. The frequent changes, instability, and chaos that happen in these types of relationships make it hard for you to have peace. If you are in a relationship with a narcissist you may notice you feel anxious all the time.
The anxiousness lingers when you are with or without the narcissist. You may have become so used to being with the narcissist you stop noticing the anxiety you feel. As you try to make sense of a time in your life that doesn’t make sense you may notice increased levels of anxiousness.
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We understand how confusing, overwhelming, and exhausted you feel as you try to heal. The heavy burden of dealing with trauma, narcissistic abuse, and grief is exhausting. You are NOT alone in this journey. As professional counselors who have both personal and professional experience in navigating these tough paths, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way. We have a unique process designed to help you heal. Start counseling with us today.
Grief and anxiety
There are different types of grief. Anxiety connected to grief is very unsettling. The pending loss of something or someone who is valuable to you is difficult. This is sometimes called anticipatory grief. The anxiety as you grieve the loss of a narcissist and a narcissistically abusive relationship is also deeply painful. Talking with family and friends does provide support but you need more. Someone who really gets it without judgment. This is where we come in. We are counselors who help survivors of narcissistic abuse.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a sudden, intense fear or anxiety that may make you short of breath, dizzy, or make your heart pound. You might have feelings of being out of control.
That sudden feeling that happens randomly from out of nowhere, at the grocery store, while cleaning, sitting at your desk, or in the middle of an event, while walking, or maybe while you’re driving.
Not only are they sudden but they peak and then subside. You may feel worn out or tired after the panic attack has passed. The randomness of panic attacks makes many people alarmed. Feelings of being out of control, or not knowing when it will happen to make it very troubling for people who struggle with this issue.
Signs and symptoms of panic attacks
- Panic attacks typically include some of these signs or symptoms:
- Abdominal cramping
- Sense of impending doom or danger
- Fear of loss of control or death
- Rapid, pounding heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
- Chills
- Chest pain
- Hot flashes
- Headache
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, and faintness
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Nausea
- A feeling of unreality or detachment.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is the fear of being judged and evaluated negatively. The fear of judgment is in social situations and in interactions with other people. Social anxiety prevents a person from enjoying daily life. This type of anxiety causes serious frustration for the person struggling. The partners/family members connected to that person are also affected. Many times there is an internal critic that prevents the person from engaging in social activities. This internal critic distorts the reality and thoughts of the person.
Social anxiety really gets in the way of everyday life. When you experience social anxiety you feel incredibly deflated. Not being able to spend carefree time with your friends feels debilitating. Social anxiety may manifest through a critical voice that becomes overwhelming while spending time with friends. The critical voice is oftentimes seen as the truth. It will distort reality and thinking in the moment. When social anxiety is triggered it’s hard to come up with a realistic counter-voice. Treatment will focus on developing a healthy counter-voice to start replacing the overly critical one.
Signs and symptoms of social anxiety
- Fear of being judged in social situations.
- A constant replay of social interactions.
- Fear of being embarrassed or humiliated
- Worry and fear about social interactions.
- Avoiding social interactions and events.
- Fear of being the center of attention.
- Excessive anxiety that’s out of proportion to the situation.
- Fear or anxiety is not able to be explained by medical conditions, medications, or substance abuse.
- Anxiety and fear interfere with your daily living.
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