Anxiety

Kinnally is a hard-working student. She loves to read and is very sociable in small groups.  In many situations though, she experiences different internal feelings, which then emerge in various external behaviors. The idea of attending school causes an anxiety response for her.  She gets sick to her stomach, has shortness of breath, oftentimes will cry, and becomes dysregulated. Her symptoms are often disruptive and unpleasant.  These situations trigger Kinnally to miss a great deal of school. The thought of going to school really upsets her. She becomes nauseous and has sweaty palms. She often wants to see the nurse when she is in school, and she is not improving with her grades. 

What does anxiety look like for you? Everyone feels anxious at times in life. When anxiety begins to take control of your life though, it’s important to talk with someone qualified to help. For example, if the anxious feelings last for at least six months or more or if you’re not able to conduct day-to-day activities like you used to because of the anxiety. Reflect on the following questions. If your answer is yes to most of them, you should consider talking with a professional who can help you learn strategies to reduce your anxiety.

• Have you ever experienced not being able to breathe in a social situation? 
• How does your body react and feel when you think about entering a place you are uncomfortable with or meeting new people? 
• Do you have difficulty sleeping? 
• Do you often find yourself worrying about everyday issues for no obvious reason? Are you always waiting for disaster to strike or excessively worried about things such as health, money, family, work, or school?