Anxiety is a complicated emotional and physiological response to
stress,confusion, uncertainty, threat or danger. It can be
constructive, alerting us to potential harm and triggering the chemical
reactions our bodies need to respond quickly to a threat. The
physiological response is part of our inherited stress response. While
the senses register "threat," the emotional response is fear/alert" and
the body simultaneously prepares us to escape, fight or freeze.
Unfortunately, in contemporary daily life, there is often no realistic,
complete outlet for this preparation and the experience of anxiety can
become a problem interfering with normal functioning and comfort.

Problematic anxiety manifests as physical and psychological symptoms.
Anyone can experience anxiety. People who suffer with it to an unusual
degree may be genetically or environmentally predisposed to it, or may
have a biochemical imbalance that randomly triggers its symptoms. Some
individuals have survived challenging or traumatic events and now carry
a highly sensitive "internal alarm." Others were "taught" to be
hypervigilent by adults who were punitive, unreliable or who themselves
modeled fearful living. Symptoms of anxiety may include: a sense of
panic; dizziness; difficulty in breathing; skipping or racing pulse;
sweating; trembling; chills or hot flushes; choking sensation; tingling
or numbness; feeling detached, disoriented or bewildered; nausea or
diarrhea; sleep difficulties and avoidance behaviours. Fears typically
accompany anxiety. They may include may include fear of heart attack;
going "insane;" losing control; embarrassment; death; illness; causing
harm to yourself or another; fainting; being incompetent; being alone.
These physical symptoms and associated fears create a vicious cycle of
physical and emotional torment. Frequent, intense and debilitating
anxiety responses may lead to a medical diagnosis of "anxiety
disorder." This term includes panic attack, agoraphobia, specific
phobias, obsessive-compulsive behaviours and posttraumatic stress.If
you or someone you know experiences impairing anxiety reactions, take
heart.

Help and resources are available and effective. Treatment for unusually
severe anxiety may involve stabilization of the metabolic core with
anti-anxiety medications; overcoming and desensitizing associated
phobias; managing psychosocial and environmental stresses; and the
learning of long-term coping skills. Effective counselling
interventions may include approaches from
cognitive/behavioural therapies to improve thinking and doing in life;
stress management and relaxation skills; and desensitization and
processing therapies (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Body Work, etc.) that
reduce or extinguish the physical chemistry and body symptoms. Less
severe symptoms can often be treated through basic life changes and
enhanced life skills. These can include the following:

Basic stress management: Do less, rest more; organize and prioritize;
delegate and get support; proper nutrition; exercise and activity;
supportive work, social and personal relationships; constructive
problem-solving; skill development.

Relaxation techniques: Techniques such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Autogenics,
meditation, deep breathing, visualization or physical massage are
effective antidotes to stress and anxiety. They promote healthy
physiology and provide a sense of calm and well-being.

Re author negative, irrational thoughts: Our emotions are strongly
correlated with our perceptions and interpretations. Tune in to your
internal dialogue at or just before moments of anxiety. Identify
negative, self-defeating or fearful thoughts and replace
them with supportive self-talk.

Exercise: Exercise provides a natural physical outlet for the
stimulating chemistry of anxiety. In addition, the chemical endorphins
released by exercise act as a natural tranquilizer and stress reducer.

Faith and spirituality: A personal and/or communal sense of
spirituality becomes a resource for tranquility, guidance and abiding
faith during times of duress or adversity.

Medication: Anti-anxiety medication can reduce severe anxiety symptoms
that impair normal functioning. Usually, medication is a temporary tool
to stabilize body chemistry and allow personal change and enhanced
coping to work.

Design your recovery plan: Adopt a compassionate, patient attitude WITH
yourself. Take credit for your successes. Before overreacting to
anxiety, be curious: Are you tired? Hungry? Lonely? Experiencing
change? Address the underlying issues and the anxiety as well. Keep a
journal. You may discover a positive direction within your pattern of
anxiety.

There are supportive and accessible resources available to help you. If
your symptoms are severe, start with your physician. A physician or
psychiatrist familiar with treatment for anxiety can help determine if
medication is appropriate. A clinical counsellor or psychologist with
training in treatment for anxiety can provide a therapeutic context for
cognitive and behavioural change, stress management, relaxation skills,
goal planning, desensitization and personal introspection. It is
possible for each of us to live our full potential in spite of anxiety.
By looking beneath the fear and channeling the energy of anxiety, we
ultimately
discover our desire and means to live and thrive.