Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

Those suffering from overwhelming emotions that come on often without a cause may be having an anxiety attack. These attacks can be very scary, intense, and terrible as you feel out of control. Individuals that suffer from anxiety and attacks can find help through counseling. A professional Lowell, Arkansas therapist that has dealt with patients with anxiety attacks can help you cope with these emotions.

Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

• Fear of losing control

• Overwhelming fear

• Fear of going crazy

• Feeling you are in danger

• Fainting feeling

• Wanting to run away

• Dizziness

• Thoughts of doom

• Heart palpitations

• Shaking

• Perspiring

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain/pressure

• Skin turns pale

• Weakness

• Detached from reality

• Hot/cold flashes

• Burning skin

Along with the symptoms above, some individuals feel like their throat is closing off, similar to having something stuck in your throat. Confusion, separated from your normal emotions, not feeling real or in a dream, upset stomach, cannot calm down, stomach in knots, racing heart rate, pounding heartbeat in your head, vomiting, and feeling like you are going to cry.

These are not all of the symptoms that can occur during an anxiety attack. There are several different emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms that can differ from one person to another.

Anxiety attacks can differ from one individual to another by their frequency, the duration, intensity, and kind. You may not have all of the symptoms listed above or yours may be a bit different than those mentioned here and you could still be experiencing anxiety attacks. One individual may only have minor problems while another may have all the symptoms and they can be very intense. There is no map for anxiety attacks and there can be several variations and combinations to the symptoms.

You should visit your physician if you are having any of these issues. You may be having anxiety attacks due to anxiety and stress which can be treated with medications and therapy. With the combination of medications and counseling, you can learn to cope with anxiety and stress. For those that prefer not to take medications, can still greatly benefit from therapy. Learning what is causing your anxiety and stress can help you learn to cope so you the anxiety attacks may become farther apart and possibly less intense. The first step is to contact a therapist to discover if you are having anxiety attacks and learn the way to start enjoying life again.

Our Journey Through Life

Every person, as well as creatures on the earth, have a cycle of life. Every stage in our life is noticed by small adjustments at which time we must cope with cultural, economic, social, and in many cases long-lasting stressors. This article will introduce you to the different stages that you will experience in life along with the adjustments that you can expect. When one reaches the various stages of life, adjustments are mandatory. However, some of the stages can be quite difficult and overwhelming. Seeking the professional help of a Rogers, AR therapist can provide you with the skills to enjoy life and journey through life.

Infants – It may be difficult to believe that during this stage in life from your birth to age two can cause anxiety, but there are adjustments even for children at this age that can them to be nervous and anxious. The adjustment includes routines, bedtime, and strangers. In some cases, other factors children might see at this age can also bring on issues such as parent’s fighting or a parent being ill.

Children – This stage of life includes children from the age of three to nine years of age. This is often when children start school which can bring on other issues that can be difficult for children when it comes to adjusting. Separation anxiety, learning social skills, and even relationships with other children are all a huge part of this stage of life.

Teenagers – During puberty the adjustments that are seen include becoming independent, dating, and peer pressure. Too many times, teens often have very strong emotional reactions such as not wanting to listen to parents due to wanting to be “all grown up”. These emotions can often lead to risky behavior.

Young Adults – At this time in life from age twenty to twenty-nine, children are now adults and are beginning to start out on their own or heading off to college. Many are starting families, going into the workplace and often have more responsibility than ever before. Moving out on your own and starting your own life is leaving behind what you have known as your “comfort zone”. This can be very stressful and bring on many different issues as you are learning how to survive in society on your own.

Adults – This stage in life is for adults between the ages of thirty and thirty-nine. Responsibilities are often greater as many are now buying a home, have children in school, and of course work and have all the stress of paying bills.

Middle Age Adults – Between the age of forty and sixty, we begin to notice we are getting older. Kids are leaving home, women experience menopause, our children are having children, and we realize we are at the peak of our careers. Not only do we notice changes in our bodies and our health, but all of these changes can also bring about mental health issues such as depression.

Old Age Adults – After we turn sixty, health problems, retirement, and even the visits to the physician can be very stressful and cause many different issues not only physically related but also mentally.

The last two stages in life are not necessarily governed by a person’s age.

Old Age – Even though we may need help due to illness or other issues, it can be very difficult as we still feel independent and want to do things on our own. Too many times, it is very difficult to accept that we need assistance which can often lower our enjoyment in life.

End of Life – This can occur at any age according to the medical issues that arise. However, it is not easy at any age to accept that you are coming to the end of your life. This is when you need more encouragement, care, and love from those in your life.

How to Cope with Life Adjustments

A therapist can provide you with guidance to cope with all the adjustments that occur in our lives. You may believe you are doing just great and accepting all that the world throws at you. However, have you noticed that you are having issues sleeping, arguing with your partner, not performing well at work, or other issues? This can be signs that you could use the help of a counselor. Just receiving the guidance of a therapist and recognizing what is happening in your life is the best way to learn how to cope with all the challenges in life including normal life adjustments.

Change is a normal part of life, however, many of us, is not quite ready for the changes when they occur. Even children may not understand what is going on in their lives which can result in temper tantrums, disobedience, or even running away from home. Children, as well as adults, can use someone outside of the home to talk with to help them cope with the ever-changing world as well as their own changes. Talking with an experienced therapist can provide the guidance needed at every stage in life to enjoy life to the fullest.

Clarifying PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder did not appear in any classification until 1980 where it was first classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. From that day forward, the disorder has some that accept it as a disorder while others attack the diagnosis. If you pay much attention, PTSD is truly getting more attention such as in movies like the American Sniper as well as others that have hit the street and internet to bring awareness to the illness. Then there are others that use PTSD to promote their own cause just to draw attention to themselves or their cause that has truly nothing to do with the diagnostic criteria for suffering from PTSD.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in the most recent edition, the diagnostic criteria include twenty possible symptoms that are divided between four clusters.

Re-experiencing Cluster: (5 symptoms)

• Disturbing memories

• Nightmares

• Memories trigger psychological pain

• Memories trigger physiological pain

Evasive Cluster: (2 symptoms)

• Avoiding internal memories

• Avoiding external memories

Distorted Perceptions and Moods Cluster: (7 symptoms)

• Separated from memories known as dissociative amnesia

• Pessimistic thoughts regarding the world and themselves

• Blaming themselves unwarranted

• Pessimistic emotional state constantly

• No interest in normal activities (self-care, etc...)

• Disinterest in loved ones

• Restricted range of involvement

Increased Stimulation Cluster: (6 symptoms)

• Always on-guard or tense

• Exaggerated surprise response

• Problems concentrating

• Problems sleeping

• Irritability

• Outbursts of annoyance or anger

• Reckless behavior or self-destructive

Diagnosis

In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must experience one of the symptoms in re-experiencing, 1 in evasive, 2 in distorted perceptions, and 2 in stimulation. One person may only have 6 symptoms while another may have all 20. It is very important if a person is showing any of the above symptoms or is experiencing any of the signs it is imperative to contact a professional.

• PTSD left untreated can cause all kinds of other mental issues including:

• Being isolated

• Lack of having the ability to sustain healthy relationships

• Divorce

• Substance abuse

• Eating disorders

• Constant pain

• Thoughts of suicide

Other Disorders that are often Co-Occurring with PTSD

Around 80% of all individuals suffering from PTSD also have a diagnosis of another mental disorder with the most common being:

• Substance abuse

• Depression

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Social anxiety disorder

• Phobias

• Panic disorder

• Harming oneself

Help is Available

No matter where you live, you should contact a professional at once if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these feelings or thoughts. In Centerton, AR and the surrounding area, there are professionals ready to help. Through the proper channels and therapies, individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can lead a normal life. However, left untreated, PTSD can and will lead to other mental illnesses and possibly suicide. Contact a counselor that has experience working with individuals with PTSD so you can enjoy life or to help a loved one realize just how much they are appreciated and loved.

ADHD or GAD

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have symptoms in common as well as similar treatments.

In the majority of cases, it may be difficult to determine which a person has until therapy begins, however, it is more likely that an individual will suffer from anxiety than ADHD. Visiting a therapist in Rogers could help determine what treatment would be beneficial.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also referred to as ADHD affects around 7.5% across the globe. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the symptoms appear before the age of twelve. Of course, children usually have a hard time focusing on different occasions, however, for those with ADHD the issues are almost constant and continue all the way into adulthood which interferes with their daily activities. There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder all with different symptoms. The first one is inattentive with symptoms that include having a hard time paying attention to details, have trouble with organizing, often losing items, and no focus. The next one is hyperactive/impulsive which has symptoms which include having trouble staying seated such as in school, feeling restless, interrupts people, and has trouble waiting their turn. The last one is a combination of the first two.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder also referred to as GAD is characterized by constant and unmanageable worrying, irritability, feeling on edge, and not being able to sleep. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder may feel anxious more often about their job, relationships, health, and money. Individuals are diagnosed with GAD when they worry constantly for the majority of at least six months and have at least three symptoms described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Generalized anxiety disorder is not only the worrying but is known as a serious health disorder as individuals that suffer from GAD die close to 8 years earlier than individuals that do not have GAD.

Symptoms of GAD and ADHD can be Seen Together

Symptoms of both GAD and ADHD can be seen during childhood and even though they are both highly heritable both disorders are influenced by work, school, relationships, and all kinds of stressful environments.

What is known is that children that have ADHD can also suffer from secondary anxiety. The main reason is that individuals with ADHD usually have to work five times as hard as others and often only achieve getting half the work done, which can easily lead to anxiety. In some cases, primary anxiety may also be present if the individual inherited anxiety genes at the same time as they inherited the genes for ADHD. With an increase of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the more severe the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Treatments Available

The most common treatments that work the best for anxiety, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are listed below.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the most common and provides the most benefits for those suffering from both or only one of the disorders. Normally, medications along with therapy are the best options. The medications that are usually prescribed are stimulants and non-stimulants for those with attention deficit hyperactive disorder and for generalized anxiety disorder anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Ease Anxiety Disorder and Depression Symptoms Through Exercise

Long before our slow-paced lives of today, people had to be active in order to survive. Today, many of us in Northwest Arkansas do not get adequate exercise for our bodies let alone our brain. We know that our bodies develop all kinds of problems without proper exercise, however, research has shown that our brain also needs our bodies to be active.

A recent study in Amsterdam has found a link between depression and anxiety disorder symptoms and the lack of exercise. The study used three different activities which were no activity or just sitting, normal daily activity, and participation in sports or regular exercise and how they influenced depressed and anxious moods.

Researchers took information from individuals that suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms to understand the relationship between emotions and exercise. The published report only focuses on how exercise influenced anxiety and depression.

The report was very specific on the way exercise affected the symptoms of anxiety disorder. Other tests have shown that by running, it is possible to calm down a panic attack as you will be raising your heart rate through running which is in a way beating the panic attack to the finish line.

The report by the researchers in Amsterdam compiled information from 2,981 individuals from the age of 18 through 65 along with information from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. A few individuals were removed from the study if they were suffering from extreme addiction, psychosis, bipolar, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study looked at specific years which were two, four, and six. After the six-year mark, only 75 of the individuals were retained.

Through the information, the researchers found that data previously published and theirs were very similar in that individuals that suffer from depression and anxiety disorder do not exercise as much as those that do not have these problems. These individuals even move around less during the day than what is considered to be healthy. What was noted was that if there was no physical activity, the symptoms were severe.

From the study, researchers determined that there is a relationship between these symptoms and exercise even with low physical activity and more so with participating in sports or regular exercise.

Our bodies and our brains need us to be mobile in order to live a full and healthy life. Is it time to put a little exercise in your schedule?

Understanding Life Adjustments

Life changes are inevitable, throughout these milestones in our lives, we must be ready for the changes to achieve a smooth transition. In several cases, coping with these life adjustments can be difficult especially if you are not ready for the change to occur.

A counselor in Bentonville, Arkansas that has experience with helping others prepare or deal with the changes that occur in our normal life, can actually help you accept the changes in life, help you set principles, values, and standards that can help stay focused on your goals, help you make the right steps in order to cope with the changes in life while reaching your goals, help you understand what you are going through, help you accept the emotions and feelings that are occurring, and help you from using drugs or alcohol to escape reality.

A therapist is a wonderful guide that can help you learn how to accept and cope with all the changes in life while aiding in building a support system with not only your counselor but your family to help you stay on track.

Every milestone in our lives is letting us know that change is coming and we have to be ready. Learning how to accept these life stage adjustments effectively will help us with each phase of our lives.

All living beings have a life cycle. Every cycle, of course, begins with small adjustments to cope with severe stressors, cultural, economic, and social adjustments. The stages of the adjustments are listed below.

From birth to age two, there will be changes in your schedule including routine, bedtime, and strangers which can cause anxiety.

From age three to nine the most common life adjustment is separation anxiety due to children starting school. Along with this, they begin developing relationships and social skills.

From age ten to nineteen, puberty begins which brings on learning their identity, romantic relationships, and peer pressure. During this life stage, teens may be risky in behavior and have severe reactions emotionally.

From age twenty to twenty-nine can bring on stress as in this stage, young adults are starting jobs, starting college, beginning a family, and moving out on their own which places them out of the environment that has been their comfort zone.

From age thirty to thirty-nine, individuals are still growing their career while taking care of their family which leads to more responsibility and often more stress.

From age forty to sixty, individuals notice they are aging. Women go through menopause, children are moving out of the home, your career is at its peak, and you begin to have grandchildren. During this time if your life, it can bring on physical and health issues.

From age sixty and up, aging is showing more and even more lifestyle changes occur. In this stage of life, health issues, medication, and retirement are often the major stressors.

Two other stages in life that are placed into an age group include being dependent and end of life, as these can occur at any time throughout our lives due to illness or disease.

Being dependent on others for help around the house or taking care of oneself often reduces our happiness and it can be difficult to enjoy our lives.

End of life occurs when an individual realizes that their life is coming to an end, whether from a disease or old age. At this stage, we will need love, care, and of course those that will keep our spirits up as we deal with the end of our life.

Women's Issues

Menopause

Most of us have heard about the physical symptoms of menopause – hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, and personal dryness. And we may even have heard about mood swings and irritability. But perhaps we are not as aware that menopause can bring anxiety, depression, and a decrease in focus and concentration.

Some of us begin to wonder if we will ever feel like our old self again. We begin to doubt ourselves, second guessing decisions, replaying conversations in our minds, feeling hopeless, forgetful, worthless and sometimes fearful that we are going crazy!

If these symptoms sound familiar, counseling may help. Having an objective, compassionate professional to process this difficult stage of life with has assisted many ladies to navigate through these months with increased confidence and assurance that they will make it to the other side without losing their minds.

Call our office to set up an initial appointment today, we are here to help.

For Moms

Years ago I heard a story about a pastor who did a Sunday morning series on anger. After the first sermon he asked for any who wanted prayer to deal with personal anger to come back stage. Imagine his shock when he entered the designated room to find it populated with mothers of young children and teens!

Whether you are a stay at home mom or a mom who works outside your home, you are a FULL TIME parent.  And chances are that you can relate with the moms mentioned in the prayer room with anger issues. We are here to help you develop parenting skills that make a difference in your everyday life with the kids.

Some women in the midst of transition from full time mom to the work force or vice versa may develop short term symptoms of an adjustment disorder. This occurs within three months of a stressful event in your life.

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

Adjustment disorders symptoms vary from person to person. The symptoms you have may be different from those of someone else with an adjustment disorder. But for everyone, symptoms of an adjustment disorder begin within three months of a stressful event in your life.

Emotional Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder may affect how you feel and think about yourself or life, including:

• Sadness

• Hopelessness

• Lack of enjoyment

• Crying spells

• Nervousness

• Jitteriness

• Anxiety, which may include separation anxiety

• Worry

• Desperation

• Trouble sleeping

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Thoughts of suicide

Behavioral Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder may affect your actions or behavior, such as:

• Fighting

• Reckless driving

• Ignoring bills

• Avoiding family or friends

• Performing poorly in school or at work

• Skipping school

• Vandalizing property

Length of Symptoms

How long you have symptoms of an adjustment disorder also can vary:

• 6 months or less (acute). In these cases, symptoms should ease once the stressor is removed. Brief professional treatment may help symptoms disappear.

• More than 6 months (chronic). In these cases, symptoms continue to bother you and disrupt your life. Professional treatment may help symptoms improve and prevent the condition from continuing to get worse.

Aging Parents

Are your parents reaching the stage of life where they need your help on a regular basis? Has one of your parents passed away, leaving the other in your care? Are you struggling with grief over a loved one’s diagnosis with an incapacitating disorder like dementia or Alzheimer’s? Are you feeling stretched between your own nuclear family and your family of origin?

More people than ever before are finding themselves in this situation. If you feel overwhelmed, unable to process your grief, confused, saddened, anxious, and hopeless you are not alone. The professionals at Journey Counseling are here to help you feel more empowered and to work through the issues that come with aging parents.