6 Signs You May Have an Anxiety Disorder (And How to Overcome It)

Most of us experience bouts of anxiety every so often. Job interviews, public speaking, first dates, financial issues, or family gatherings can cause our anxiety levels to spike. But everyday anxiety is different from an anxiety disorder. While it may not always be easy to make the distinction, anxiety disorders are actually the most common mental illness in the United States. These disorders affect 40 million adults over age 18, which is roughly 18% of the entire population. A psychologist can help you to determine whether you may have an anxiety disorder and will work with you to develop skills to overcome it. That’s why cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety is incredibly effective; it allows you to recognize and re-pattern your thoughts and behavior so that you are in control of your anxiety, rather than your anxiety controlling you. If you exhibit any of these six signs of anxiety disorders, counseling may be able to help you tremendously.

Excessive worrying

One of the most obvious signs of a generalized anxiety disorder is persistent obsessing or worrying. You may even worry about worrying! In most cases, these concerns are out of proportion with the reality of a given event and the individual often has trouble letting go. Concentration and relaxation often fall by the wayside. You may also experience fear of making the wrong decision or may not respond well to uncertainty.

Difficulty sleeping

It’s fairly common to have occasional sleep issues, especially during a particularly stressful time. But if you constantly find yourself lying awake at night due to worrying about specific issues (or about nothing in particular), you may want to seek therapy to find out the cause. If you don’t wake feeling refreshed — or worse, if you wake up feeling wired and unable to calm down — it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

Tense muscles

When we get stressed, we tend to tense up. Constant stress and anxiety often lead to persistent muscle tension. You might even stop noticing your muscular tensions after a while, which can lead to further problems. If you clench your jaw, ball up your fists, or get frequent headaches, regular exercise can help to relieve some of this tension. But in general, it’s better to address the underlying cause of your stress and anxiety to help reduce it before it occurs.

Frequent indigestion

Anxiety disorders don’t only impact your mind; their effects can be felt throughout your entire body. Chronic digestive problems are common among people with anxiety disorders. Your gut is surprisingly sensitive to psychological stress — and of course, dealing with digestive troubles can actually worsen your anxiety. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is thought of as anxiety of the digestive tract. While it’s not always a sign of anxiety, if you experience other symptoms on this list, a cognitive behavioral therapy service may be of benefit to you.

Panic attacks

Panic attacks may be difficult for others to understand, but when they happen to you, they can be terrifying — especially if you don’t know what they are. Panic attacks usually start with a sudden feeling of fear and helplessness and can involve breathing problems, rapid heartbeat, tingling or numbness in the hands, excessive sweating, dizziness or weakness, stomach or chest pains, or hot flashes or chills. While not everyone who experiences a panic attack suffers from an anxiety disorder, if you experience them frequently, seeking out causes and solutions in therapy can help immensely.

Constant self-doubt or perfectionist tendencies

Many anxiety disorder sufferers also deal with persistent self-doubt or judgment. Obsessive mindsets tend to go hand-in-hand with many different anxiety disorders, so it’s very common to feel like you don’t measure up to your own or to others’ expectations and to let that impact you in a severe way. If your self-consciousness, self-doubt, or perfectionist tendencies are getting in the way of your daily life, seeking out therapy for anxiety can be an excellent first step.

If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, you are not alone. CBT can give you the skills you need to identify and overcome your anxiety. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists, please contact us today.