With school quickly approaching or for some, just beginning, this time of the year can be stressful for students, parents, and teachers. And if you have an underlying problem with anxiety, this time of the year can be even more nerve-racking.
Anxiety isn’t unheard of and the majority of people have probably experienced it. For example, it’s likely that a person may feel anxious when going on a date, interviewing for a new job, or giving a lecture at a conference.
Everyone worries—so how can you tell if you worry too much? A good indication is when your worries turn into overwhelming fears and interfere with your daily life.
There are both emotional and physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder, ranging from feelings of dread to upset stomachs and shortness of breath.
Help is available; there are even many websites devoted to anxiety disorders. However, the best way to get help is to talk with a doctor or therapist. They can help you come up with different techniques specific to your particular needs, in order to help you cope with your anxiety.
For anxiety attacks, different breathing techniques and exercises can help you until they pass. Also, writing down your thoughts daily can be therapeutic and helpful. Take cues from your own interests—if you enjoy reading and that helps to calm you, make sure you always have a book handy.
Take for instance, photographer John William Keedy. Keedy says that when he was first diagnosed with his anxiety disorder, it was difficult to accept it, as well as explain it to his friends and family. He felt completely alone.
Keedy now has a series called “It’s Hardly Noticeable,” in which he shot photographs pertaining to his anxiety disorder. He hopes that his photographs can help others who are struggling and help to break the stigma that goes along with mental illness.
Different questions arise when trying to figure out whether you should seek help for your struggle with anxiety: will I have to be on medication and if so, for how long? Will therapy work to help me get back to the person I was? Can therapy really work for me?
If you have any questions like these, please take a look at the FAQ page on our website. If you want to talk with Reka about anxiety, please don’t hesitate to call at 402-881-8125. You can also email her at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or connect with her via Twitter or Facebook.
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photo credit: Jonathan Kos-Read via photopin cc
