We all have our share of things that we worry about, whether it’s our family, our finances, or whether or not we’ll be on time for an appointment.  Worry is normal but where we get ourselves into trouble is when our worry turns into something bigger and starts to feel like it’s taking over our lives.  This is when worry crosses over into anxiety and we can run the risk of getting stuck in this pattern.

Our bodies have a natural, built in response to stress.  You probably remember it from your school days- it’s called “Fight or Flight.”  This means that whenever we begin to feel stressed or threatened, even if it’s only a little, our body will start to adapt.  Our breathing changes and our heart rate increases, getting us ready to either stand and deal with the stress or run from it.  Remember, this is a normal response and can actually help when dealing with problems.

Most people who are worriers have a lot of thoughts that start with words like “what if” and “oh no.”  This means that they tend to think a lot about the possibilities, usually the worst ones imaginable.  What this line of thinking usually does is begin the Fight or Flight response as we think about all of the bad things that might happen.  From here it can turn into an escalating cycle of our body responding to the stress which leads to more worry and on and on.  Panic attacks can then occur with the person experiencing possible chest pains, difficulty breathing, muscle tension and even nausea.

The positive side of all of this is that there is help.  The research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very effective at teaching individuals the skills and tools they need to be able to overcome struggles with worry or anxiety.  Here at Swinton Counseling, we have the expertise to help with these issues.  If you or your family members are struggling with excessive worry or anxiety, please give us a call and let us help.