Anxiety disorders can impact anyone at any time. Sometimes a stressful event can cause anxiety symptoms such as a deteriorating personal relationship or a struggle with addiction. Other times, anxiety can come from telling yourself the worst will happen, and sometimes, you may not even know why you feel anxious. 7 Summit Pathways can help identify the reason behind your anxiety, treat your anxiety symptoms and give you the hope of a life without addiction and anxiety.
Anxiety — What Is It?
Almost everyone feels anxious at some points in their lives. Maybe it’s right before an important job interview, or as you’re starting a new relationship. However, anxiety disorders go beyond the normal feelings of anxiety and can impact your daily life.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) happens when you experience excessive worry and anxiety about various events or activities during a period of at least six months. During that time, you usually feel anxious more days than not, and you will have trouble controlling your worry. Usually, a clinical professional will diagnose you with GAD if you’ve also experienced at least three symptoms of anxiety the majority of the time.
What Causes Anxiety?
Unfortunately, no one knows the exact causes of anxiety. The National Institute of Mental Health believes genetic and environmental factors play a role, but more researchers are studying brain chemistry as another possible cause. It’s important to remember that anxiety isn’t your fault. You may develop GAD simply because you’re pre-disposed from a family member or you may be faced with stressful situations out of your control that increase your anxiety.
Anxiety can also occur alongside addiction. Sometimes people use alcohol or drugs to try to ease their anxiety symptoms, but these substances can make your anxiety worse. Other times, you may suffer from an addiction that also causes your anxiety.
Common Anxiety Symptoms
Identifying the common symptoms of anxiety can help you start a conversation with a loved one, or even identify some areas you’ve been struggling with. Anxiety symptoms include:
- Excessive worrying
- Rapid heart rate
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Dry mouth
- Feeling restless
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Tense muscles
- Sleep disturbances
These physical and mental symptoms can interfere with your daily life. Irritability may drive away those who are closest to your and cause you to retreat within yourself. Difficulty sleeping and concentrating can create absences from school and work. Many of these overall symptoms can also contribute to feelings of helplessness and despair as you struggle to figure out what causes your anxiety and how to control it.
How We Can Help
At 7 Summit Pathways, we focus on individualized patient-centered treatment that touches on the seven dimensions of wellness. We’ll explore physical, emotional, social, spiritual and other areas of wellness to figure out what causes your anxiety and how to treat it. We’ll also help treat your addiction and get you back to the positive life you deserve to live.
We know you’re feeling scared and alone, but our experienced staff is ready to help. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to get a second chance at life.