15/04/2026
What is Anxiety?�Everyone feels anxious at times, but if your anxious thoughts or feelings of dread, fear, and other symptoms are out of proportion to the situation, are difficult to control, and last for at least six months, you may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
Anxiety is defined by the American Psychological Association as “An emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune. The body often mobilizes itself to meet the perceived threat: Muscles become tense, breathing is faster, and the heart beats more rapidly.”
Recognizing anxiety is a key step in managing excessive worry and moving forward in life. If you experience symptoms or have difficulty controlling worry, ask yourself if anxiety might be the cause. It’s important to share any concerns about excessive worry with your health care provider so they can help you identify ways to address your anxiety and overcome its effects.
Anxiety becomes an obstacle to a happy, healthy life when it affects your day-to-day life in these ways:
Emotionally, anxiety can appear as:
* Excessive worry
* Fatigue
* Irritability
* Panic attacks
* Paranoia
* Poor concentration
* Restlessness
* Sleep disturbances
Physically, anxiety can appear as:
* Chest pain
* Diarrhea, stool pattern changes or upset stomach
* Headache
* Increased heart rate
* Muscle aches
* Shaking
* Shortness of breath
* Sweating
Recommended you speak to a health care provider about your anxiety should any of these situations occur:
* Your anxiety becomes an obstacle in any aspect of everyday living, often causing difficulties for six or more months.
* Your anxiety becomes a negative influence in relationships creating barriers in life.
* Your anxiety leads to isolation producing thoughts of hopelessness or helplessness.
* Your anxiety controls your life with emotional or physical response to excessive worry.
If you are experiencing this, you can talk to us at RHU Columbio anytime from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or you can message us here on our page.
