Anxiety

Anxiety is a symptom of emotional and/or physical distress. Anxiety alerts us that something is out of balance.

Physical Symptoms

The physical symptoms of anxiety can affect how your body functions. It can cause shallow breath and irregular heart rate, which decreases oxygen to your brain, at times when you need your brain to work well (school, performance, social, work). Anxiety can cause inflammation disrupting vital organ functioning.
  • Increased heart rate
  • Shortness of breath
  • Upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping

Common Types of Anxiety Disorders

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 3. Panic disorder and Agoraphobia 4. Social/Performance Anxiety Disorder 5. Separation Anxiety Disorder 6. Selective Mutism 7. Phobias 8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 9. Drug and alcohol induced anxiety disorders 10. Anxiety disorders due to another medical condition

How Anxiety works

The effect of anxiety is like a bell curve. With no anxiety people can be apathetic and not avoid harmful mental and physical situations. At low levels it can motivate, increase attention, and increase performance due to engagement of fight or flight response system. However chronic stress or trauma can overwhelm the system and cause decreased functioning socially, academically, occupationally.
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