To experience some amount of anxiety is perfectly normal. On your way to a job interview, when meeting new people, or before speaking in public, it’s normal to feel anxious. But if you feel anxious every time you leave the house, every time you have to speak to another person, or for no particular reason at all, you may suffer from anxiety disorder.
Many people who suffer from anxiety disorder have extreme reactions called anxiety attacks (or panic attacks). During these episodes, sufferers sometimes think they’re having a heart attack—they may feel chest pain, have rapid breathing and begin perspiring heavily. While these are common in people with anxiety disorder, not everyone experiences them.
So how can you tell if you’re suffering from anxiety disorder or just have normal apprehension toward new or different situations?
Here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Extreme fear
- Abnormal perspiration
- Difficulty concentrating
If you think you may be suffering from anxiety disorder, please see your physician immediately. He or she can help you decide whether or not medication, exercise or any other therapy will help.
