Anxiety is a completely normal feeling that all human beings experience on a daily basis. And while it may seem like an irritation or annoyance, it actually serves a very important function. Anxiety is your body’s warning system. It’s your brain’s way of telling you that there is something really important or dangerous that you should be paying attention to. Maybe you just lost your job, or your girlfriend won’t answer your calls, or you’re failing a class…these would all be pretty good times for your anxiety to kick in. Ideally, your anxiety would give your mind and body a little jumpstart to get you to address the issue, and then subside once the problem or threat has passed. But, as life goes, our brains like to make us anxious in all sorts of unhelpful situations as well. Anxiety can get triggered by everyday events like a conversation with a co-worker, a simple homework assignment, and all manner of other mundain situations. When anxiety builds to the point of becoming a chronic condition (worrying and feeling uncomfortable frequently or almost all the time), it can result in symptoms, both psychological and physical, that can cause significant distress and impairment.

Here are a list of some symptoms that may be signs of an anxiety disorder:

• nervousness, restlessness, or tension
• feeling a sense of impending danger
• increased heart rate
• rapid breathing
• sweating
• trembling
• feeling weak or tired
• difficulty concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
• sleeping difficulties
• stomach problems
• avoidance of certain people, places, and things that trigger one’s anxiety