It’s normal to feel nervous or anxious from time to time: everyone does. You might feel stressed when speaking in public, or feel anxious when bills are due. For some people, however, these anxious thoughts become so forceful, or occur so frequently, that they begin to take over your life.

Anxiety comes in many different forms—such as panic attacks, phobia, and social anxiety—and the distinction between what is “normal” anxiety and a real problem with your anxiety isn’t always clear.

Ask yourself: do you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis?

Excessive Worry

This is the most common type of anxiety — thinking so much about everyday things that it cause you emotional angst and fatigue.

Chronic Indigestion

Recurring problems with stomach aches, bloating, gas. Your gut is very sensitive to stress.

Self-Doubt

Constant, persistent questioning of your ability to handle a situation. Often a contributing factor to social anxiety.

Perfectionism

Continually judging yourself or being overly concerned with making mistakes or failing.

Compulsive Behaviors

These are rituals that take over your life, such as hand washing, organizing items before you leave the office, checking the door lock three times.

Panic

An overwhelming fear or helplessness that can last for several minutes, often accompanied by racing heart, tingling or numb hands, and labored breathing.

Irrational Fears/Phobias

An unfounded fear that is often overwhelming and disruptive. Your feeling are really out of proportion to the actual risk involved.

Sleep Problems

You find yourself lying awake, worried or agitated about specific problems, such as money, work, or relationships. You often wake up tense or wired.

Social/Performance Anxiety

Tendency to worry for days or weeks prior to an event, and spending days afterward concerned about how people judged you.

Muscle Tension

Nearly constant stress to your muscles – jaw clenching, stiff neck, or overly tense shoulders.

Flashbacks

Reliving a disturbing or tragic event over and over again.

Self-Consciousness

Feeling that everyone is always looking at you and judging your actions. Symptoms include blushing and nausea.

If you do, give us a call.