how do i know if i have anxiety?

Question

i asked this other question on yahoo answers and two people mentioned i might have anxiety.

i do worry over little things. infact, i worry more about how poeple think about me. sometimes i get frustrated at my self because i won't let myself just live. i shake a lot, stutter, and twitch. it sounds really gay, but i though it was just nervous habits. sometimes when i'm REALLY tired, i won't let myself go to sleep because i'll be thinking about something that makes me worried.
i find myself breathing hard somettimes when i think of these thoughts.
can it really be anxiety? or is it just habits? can i cure it? would it be costy?

Answer 1

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Everybody experiences it when faced with a stressful situation, for example before an exam or an interview, or during a worrying time such as illness. It is normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience.

The physical symptoms of anxiety are caused by the brain sending messages to parts of the body to prepare for the "fight or flight" response. The heart, lungs and other parts of the body work faster. The brain also releases stress hormones, including adrenaline. The following symptoms can occur as a result:

abdominal discomfort
diarrhoea
dry mouth
rapid heartbeat or palpitations
tightness or pain in chest
shortness of breath
dizziness
frequent urination
difficulty swallowing
Psychological symptoms can include:

insomnia
irritability or anger
inability to concentrate
fear of madness
feeling unreal and not in control of your actions (depersonalisation)

Sometimes anxiety is associated with a physical illness, such a thyroid disorder. When the illness is treated the anxiety usually improves.

Anxiety is often a symptom of another mental health problem, such as depression, personality disorder, alcohol misuse or withdrawal from long-term use of tranquillisers such as diazepam (Valium).

Anxiety is the main symptom of several other mental illnesses. These are called anxiety disorders.

Anyone who feels their life is being affected by the symptoms of anxiety should visit their GP. The GP will want to identify any physical or psychiatric illness that may be causing the anxiety. He or she will listen to a description of the symptoms and may carry out a physical examination. Blood tests may be recommended if the doctor suspects a thyroid disorder or other physical illness.

Some people are referred to a psychiatrist, a doctor who specialises in mental health, for further help."

I have anxiety myself I know in my own way how you are feeling. Talk to your doctor about getting some medicine, try to keep busy and focused on what you are doing rather than allowing your feelings to dominate your train of thought. I hope this answer helped you and I hope you will talk to your doctor about your anxiety and talk about treatment options available to you.

Answer 2

I do not recommend medication because it will not solve your problem, only suppress it so it can pop out in another form, perhaps in a process happening within your body that you will not notice until it is too late. As for anxiety attacks, I had an acquaintance who was in the same situation. I did not help her because she refused help, but I have some strange methods to deal with this. It sounds as if there are no tremendous problems in your life, but I'm only assuming from the "suffer from attacks of anxiety for no apparent reason" quote. It would be helpful for you to seek an opportunity where you can focus on other people in third world countries, perhaps volunteering to distribute malaria relief or food, even. When you're dealing with a real crisis, sometimes these things take the backdrop and leave you alone. On the other hand, pressure can mount higher and you'll find yourself worse off, but I doubt this.

Answer 3

I think you are having a problem with anxiety. Try to think realistically. Worrying over little things? Nobody will remember the next day if you made a fool of yourself. Look, today in P.E. I shot the ball at the wrong goal twice. *blush blush blush* I also have a minor problem with stuttering, and sometimes when I open my mouth to talk I literally can't get any words out. But try seeing a doctor anyway.

Answer 4

Whe you can't just stop thinking about something, in this case you need to get some terapy and costs are set by how much sessions you may need to control anxiety

Answer 5

You sound right normal to me. PLEASE do not join the ranks of young ones that think every reaction you have requires drugs. These drugs are dangerous and some commit suicide on them. If you grew up without anxiety, that would be abnormal. Don't fall into the pharmaceutical traps.

Answer 6

The answers you are looking for cost LESS then one office visit to your doctor.
Check it out: http://www.attackanxiety.com

Have the courage to invest in your own well-being. You are worth it.

Answer 7

This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/