USI » Counseling Center

Anxiety

Symptoms
Are you worried you may be suffering from a panic attack, agoraphobia or some other type of anxiety disorder? Anxiety disorders can involve either discrete episodes of fear and apprehension (panic attacks) or a generalized, persistent anxiety. Some of the symptoms include: difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, choking sensation, dizziness or fainting, sweating, hot or cold flashes, nausea, trembling or shaking, apprehension and worry or rumination, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and irrational fear of and/or avoidance of the situation or person.

Some Anxiety is Normal
Everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious -- the butterflies in your stomach before a first date, the tension you feel when your boss is angry, the way your heart pounds if you're in danger. Anxiety rouses you to action. It gears you up to face a threatening situation. It makes you study harder for that exam, and keeps you on your toes when you're making a speech. In general, it helps you cope. But if you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful emotion can do just the opposite -- it can keep you from coping and can disrupt your daily life. There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with its own distinct features. An anxiety disorder may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason; or the anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them you may stop some everyday activities; or you may have occasional bouts of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you.

You Are Not to Blame
Many people carry the misperception that anxiety disorders are a character flaw, a problem that happens because someone is weak. They say, "Just calm down." or "It's only a case of nerves." Wishing the symptoms away does not work, but there are treatments that can help. Anxiety disorders and panic attacks are not signs of a character flaw. Most importantly, feeling anxious is not your fault. It is a serious mood disorder which affects a person's ability to function in everyday activities. It affects one's work, family, and social life. Today, much more is known about the causes and treatment of this mental health problem. We know that there are biological and psychological components to every anxiety disorder Contrary to the popular misconceptions about anxiety disorders today, it is not a purely biochemical or medical disorder.

So What Causes It?
There are as many causes of anxiety disorders as there are people who suffer from them. Family history and genetics play a part in the greater likelihood of someone getting an anxiety disorder in their lifetimes. Increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms to deal with that stress may also contribute to anxiety. Anxiety caused by medications or substance abuse is not typically recognized as an anxiety disorder, though both may eventually lead to the development of an anxiety disorder.

Treatment
The best form of treatment for most anxiety disorders is a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

What do I do now?
Contact the USI Counseling Center at 812/464-1867 for more information, short-term counseling, or referral to a mental health professional in the community for long-term therapy and/or an assessment for medication. If you're in crisis on the weekend or outside the hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm, a 24-hour emergency service is available by calling 423-7791

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600