Boston Anxiety Counseling, Overcoming Anxiety, Anxiety Facts, Overcoming Panic Attacks

Definitions and Key Thoughts

Anxiety

Anxiety is a constant fearful state, accompanied by a feeling of unrest, dread, or worry in which the person may not be aware of what is creating the feeling of fear.

Anxiety is aroused by a number of factors:

• External situations (viewing the nightly news, fast paced lifestyle)
• Physical well being (lack of sleep, blood sugar imbalance)
• Learning (parents who were highly anxious)
• Trauma (situations that may be similar to experiences of the past that caused great pain).

Anxiety symptoms can include:

Inability to relax

Tense feelings

Rapid heartbeat

Dry mouth

Increased blood pressure

Jumpiness or feeling faint

Excessive perspiring

Feeling clammy

Constant anticipation of trouble

Constant feeling of uneasiness

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are sudden, overwhelming, fearful reactions that accompany feelings of impending doom.

The sufferer of a panic attack may feel like he is "going crazy" or is having a heart attack.

During a panic attack, the person feels out of control. Symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

Racing heartbeat

Sweating

Dizziness

Nausea

Diarrhea

Ringing ears

Choking

Vertigo

Becoming homebound in fear of another attack

 
Fear

While most people experience fear as a negative emotion, fear has a positive component. If you find that you have turned down a one way street and see a car heading directly at you, fear triggers an autonomic response that sends a signal to your brain to “flee” the potentially dangerous situation.

Fear becomes a problem when a person becomes afraid of things that are not real or when the feeling of fear is out of proportion to what the person is actually experiencing.

Action Steps and Tips to Overcoming Anxiety

1. Thought Patterns

Dispute negative thoughts and irrational beliefs with positive thoughts and truth. What positive thoughts about the situation are you ignoring?

2. Watch for Triggers

Try to minimize activities and input that induce anxiety.

3. Moving Forward

Learn from setbacks and continue to face down your fears (take some risks).

If you become afraid, to move your focus on the external world and others rather than the internal feelings of anxiety.

Focus on the solution, not the problem.

4. Be Patient

Remember that growth and recovery from anxiety takes time.

With patience and practice you will overcome your anxiety.

Looking For Boston Anxiety Counseling? Let's talk today.

Call us at 617-395-5806. A Thrive Boston Counselor is available to talk with you, today. If you call and reach our voice message system, don't be discouraged! We still want to talk with you, we are just seeing clients. Leave your name and phone number and we will call you back that day. 

Nervous about calling? You can also email us at ThriveBoston@gmail.com. Be sure to include your phone number in the email so that we can call you back. 

We look forward to talking with you.