Anxiety Therapy Services Fort Myers

There is a fine line between anxiety and stress and they can often feel the same. The difference is that stress is usually caused by external factors such as issues at work or conflict with a friend or family member. The symptoms of stress often mimic anxiety which include irritability anger, fatigue, muscle pain, feelings of worry and overwhelm, and difficulty sleeping. However, the difference is with anxiety the symptoms continue even in the absence of the external trigger.

Most of us experience anxiety at some point in our life; public speaking causes anxiety for the majority of adults I have talked with. That type of anxiety is situational and is often easily managed. When anxiety feels chronic and feelings of intense fear and worry become overwhelming preventing from meaningful participation in enjoyable activates an anxiety disorder may be the reason. 

Over 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder and it is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in the U.S. 

Symptoms

There are several anxiety disorders, however, all have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.

Common Symptoms Include: 

Emotional:

• Fearing something bad might happen or dreading something.
• Feeling intense or jumpy
• Restlessness, fidgety or irritability
• Fearing the worst and being watchful for signs of danger

Physical:

• Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath
• Sweating, tremors and twitches
• Headaches, fatigue and difficulty sleeping
• Upset stomach

Individual therapy can be a safe place resolve some of root causes of your anxiety, learn tools to manage the symptoms and begin to move through your life with more ease.