Before we go further regarding the discussion of and treatment options for anxiety, let me define what the word means. It refers to a constellation of symptoms that can result from adrenaline surges in the body that cause feelings of anxiety and panic, also referred to as the "fight or flight" response. This can cause stress on the body in emotional and physical ways, since the mind and body connect together. One can have one or a few or multiple symptoms that can affect a person in negative ways. Examples of symptoms are:

-Restlessness and agitation

-Irritability/ easily prone to anger

-Insomnia (difficulty going to sleep, staying asleep or both)

-Difficulty with focus and concentration

- Sweating and shakiness of the body

-Elevated heart rate and/or blood pressure (racing heart/palpitations/chest pain)

-Difficulty breathing/ Hyperventilation/ Shortness of breath

-Dizziness

-Fatigue (since anxiety can "burn you out")

Excessive worry/rumination

- Recurrent somatic symptoms, such as headaches of all types, neck/upper back/trapezius muscles/shoulders (this is the most common somatic stress symptom), TMJ/jaw pain from teeth clenching and grinding, joint pains, mid to lower back pain, irritable bowel symptoms such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux/heartburn, etc., numbness and tingling of hands and feet, skin changes such as rashes, eczema, acne etc, increased infections and many more.

Next week I'm going to define and describe depression, so stay tuned. I'll continue these subjects and what can be done about them during the rest of the fall and winter. Bye for now.