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To most of us, anxiety is what other people have. It is somehow unseemly, a sign of weak character, seen only in unsuccessful people. What doctors and counselors mean by anxiety is much more far reaching and familiar. If you don't think you experience anxiety to some degree each day here is what they mean when they say, "are you feeling anxious?" Are you afraid of something you can't explain? Do you ever awaken at night with your heart racing, short of breath and sweating? Do you avoid certain activities because you are too embarrassed or ashamed? Are you the worrier in your family? Do you carry a sense of dread in your life that you can't explain? Do you avoid leaving the house? Are you afraid to speak in front of a group? Have you suffered a trauma that you can't get out of your mind? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have an anxiety disorder. There are, of course, degrees of anxiety. All of us have some amount of anxiety. For others it may be an all consuming feeling that debilitates and impairs our ability to function on a daily basis.
No matter what level of anxiety you experience each day, from an occasional fear or worry, to agoraphobia or panic there are excellent resources on the web to guide you to understanding what you have, how to treat it and where to find resources in your community. Most importantly, see a physician first. The latest medications are life saving for those with anxiety.
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