The Counseling and Resource Center

When Someone You Know...
…might be suffering from Anxiety

You can also download this brochure for printing.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a state of being incredibly uneasy, apprehensive, worried, filled with dread, about what might happen. In cases of clinical anxiety, the feared event or circumstance rarely happens.

What is the Difference Between Fear and Anxiety?

If you were walking down the street and saw a lion chasing you, your reaction would, sensibly, be tremendous fear. If you felt the same intense fear when you saw a lion at the zoo, safely in a cage where it can’t possibly get to you; your reaction would be called anxiety.

What are the kinds of Anxiety Disorders and signs to look for?

Panic Disorder

Someone who suffers from panic disorder experiences intense anxiety that seems to hit without cause.
Signs (symptoms) include:

Racing, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, chest pain
Fear of dying of symptoms above, of losing control, or of "going crazy"
"Chills," "hot flashes," sweating
Trembling or shaking
Feeling short of breath, or as though smothering or choking
Nausea or stomach discomfort
"Numbness" or tingling
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint
Having a feeling of unreality, of being "detached" and "observing" the event

Panic disorder can occur along with agoraphobia ("fear of open places"), in which the person is anxious about being in places or situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where help might not be available if panic occurs.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The person experiences a great deal of anxiety about a number of events or activities (such as school or work performance).
Other signs include these:

feeling "keyed up" or "on edge"
being tired easily
difficulty concentrating or mind "goes blank"
irritability, anger
muscle tension, pain
problems sleeping (trouble falling or staying asleep, restless sleep)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Can involve obsessions only, compulsions only, or both.

Obsessions: unwanted, intrusive recurring thoughts, mental pictures, or impulses that cause strong anxiety. The person recognizes that he/she is generating these thoughts, but has difficulty controlling them
Compulsions: repetitive behaviors (for example, excessive hand-washing, putting things in perfect order, checking and re-checking) or mental acts (counting, repeating words silently) in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent some dreaded event

Often, the person recognizes that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. They cause great discomfort and interfere with the person's academic, work, or social life and relationships.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This is a delayed reaction to a traumatic event, such as a war experience, car crash, or violent attack or abuse.
Signs of PTSD might include the following:

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
"Reliving" the event through
- Flashbacks: intense feelings, or memories of the event that can be "triggered" by sights, sounds, smells, certain people, or situations
- Recollection or nightmares about event
- “Reliving” event causes psychological and physical distress
- Anniversaries of the event can trigger anxiety
“Startling” easily, “jumpy”
Angry outbursts
Losing concentration quickly
Avoiding reminders of the event
Becoming emotionally "numb," especially toward people/the person sufferer was once close to
Feeling a loss of hope for the future

Anxieties specific to college environment

Test anxiety
Math anxiety
Computer fears (technophobia)
Speech or other performance anxiety
Fear of failure
Fear of success
Culture shock

What can help someone with anxiety?

Clinical anxiety is very treatable! Here are resources that you or someone you know can use to cope with excessive anxiety:

Medical doctor/psychiatrist: Check out possible physical causes (overactive thyroid, perimenopause, PMS, etc.) Short-term anti-anxiety medications (along with relaxation and other "behavioral" techniques) are usually very helpful
Visit the Edmonds CC Counseling Center. Qualified counselors there can help by listening, offering feedback, suggesting techniques, and providing referrals.
Holistic medicine: Naturopathic, Homeopathic doctors, or nutritionists who work with natural herbs and treatments
Sign up for workshops or low-pressure classes that focus on reducing math anxiety or technophobia
Talk things over with an understanding friend who is compassionate, as well as sensible , positive, and "down to earth."
Have achievable, realistic expectations of yourself. Give up perfection! :
Take a break, exercise, walk, deep breathing
Avoid adding non-essential tasks that create extra stress
Eat healthy foods for stamina
Listen to music that is calming and relaxing (Although very popular, rap is not particularly calming and relaxing!)
Purchase inexpensive (or check your library for) tapes or CDs that feature calming ocean sounds, forest sounds, etc.
Make up affirmations: short, upbeat messages that remind you how you want to feel (EX: "I am calm and relaxed" )
Use relaxation techniques such as creative visualization and/or systematic muscle relaxation
Meditation, yoga, prayer, massage, hot baths…whatever works for you!

Learn More Here
Books
Overcoming Math Anxiety by Sheila Tobias
Succeed with Math by Sheila Tobias
Becoming a Master Student by Dean Mancina
Time Management (video) by David Ellis
Websites
Anxiety Disorders Education Program:	www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource:	www.algy.com/anxiety
Anxiety-Mental Help Net:	http://anxiety.mentalhelp.net/
Math Anxiety & Test Anxiety:	www.amtaa.org
Anxiety Disorders Assoc. of America:	www.adaa.org

Care Crisis Line
Snohomish County Care Crisis Line:	425-258-HELP (4357) or 1-800-584-3578
(24-hour telephone crisis counseling; interpreters available)
King County Crisis Line:	206-461-3222 or 1-800-244-5767
Teen Link:	206-461-4922
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