We all experience anxiety from time to time, and low levels of anxiety are actually useful to focus and motivate us. However, high levels of anxiety and intense, prolonged feelings of fear or distress can severely interfere with your quality of life. There are several different types of anxiety, each with their own list of symptoms. Read the paragraphs below to find out which type of anxiety your symptoms match up with.
Phobia
- Some people have very strong fears of certain objects or situations. Do you have any strong fears of certain objects or situations?
- Does the feared object or situation provoke immediate fear or anxiety?
- Do you avoid the object or situation or endure it with intense fear or anxiety?
- Have you feared the object or situation for at least six months?
Panic
An anxiety or panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear, anxiety or discomfort that comes on from out of the blue for no apparent reason, or in situations that you did not expect it to occur. Have you ever experienced this? If so, during an attack did you….
- Feel your heart racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipping beats?
- Sweat?
- Tremble or shake?
- Have trouble catching your breath, or feel like you were being smothered?
- Feel like you were choking?
- Have chest pain, pressure, tightness or discomfort?
- Feel nauseated, sick to your stomach, or like you might have diarrhea?
- Feel dizzy, light-headed, unsteady, or like you might faint?
- Have chills or feel hot?
- Feel numbness or tingling in your fingers or feet?
- Feel like things around you were unreal, like you were in a dream, like parts of your body were unreal or detached from you, or like you were outside of yourself, watching?
- Fear you were going crazy or might lose control?
- Fear you might die?
Do any of the symptoms ever reach their peak quickly, within a few minutes? Do you worry about having more of them? Did you change your behaviour or routine after the attacks began?
Illness Anxiety
- Do you often think about the possibility that you have, or will get, some type of serious illness?
- Have you been experiencing any physical pain or medical symptoms?
- Do you experience a high level of anxiety about your health?
- Do you perform excessive health related behaviours (i.e. repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness) or exhibit maladaptive avoidance (i.e. avoid doctor’s appointments and hospital visits)?
- Have you been worried about having or getting a serious illness for at least six months?
These are some of the types of anxiety that I can help you overcome, so let’s chat.