Are You Suffering from an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a common mental disorder that is categorized by constant, irrational thoughts that can cause negative effects on your life.  From constant worry to fixation to difficulty sleeping to thought fixations, your anxiety can have a range of effects on your daily life.  Over time, anxious thoughts may take away from your ability to focus on work or family life, which can decrease your overall quality of life.  As a counselor in Richmond, VA, we are here to help.  There are a few signs and symptoms that indicate you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder that can be treated with the help of a therapist.

Fixated on Perfectionism

Being fixated on perfectionism can be exhausting.  You may be kept up at night as you think about the smallest details of an upcoming event.  You may become irritated when even the smallest error occurs.  You may struggle to accept yourself as you are.  When you are fixated on being perfect, you constantly worry about any blemish or imperfection that may come your way.  Over time, this can cause negative self-esteem and cognitive distortions.

Difficulty Making Decisions

Do you take a lot of time to make even the easiest decision?  Do you constantly doubt yourself and your instincts?  When you don't trust yourself to make the right decision, you may suffer from anxiety.  Fearing that you will make the wrong decision, or that you already have, can cause negative thought patterns that lead to self-doubt and a low self-confidence.

Difficulty Sleeping

Tossing and turning each night because you are worried, concerned, and having racing thoughts can also be a sign of anxiety.  When you have difficulty falling asleep because of your racing mind, your preoccupation can lead to not only anxiety but also headaches, fatigue, and low motivation caused by lack of sleep.

Easily Irritable

Do you find yourself lashing about when one thing goes wrong?  Are you always worried about everything?  Anxiety can make you easily irritated by even the smallest thing.  When someone shows up late, or when someone does something wrong, you may be tempted to get angry or frustrated with their behavior.  This could indicate that you are suffering from anxiety that should be discussed with a professional.

Constant Worry

Worrying about all aspects of your life can be all-consuming.  This can also lead you to freeze your actions and have difficulty focusing on tasks right in front of you.  When your progress is stunted because of constant worry, you actually cause much more harm than good.  Talk about this constant and nagging worry with your counselor to learn how to cope and channel productivity through the doubt.

These are just a few of the most common symptoms and signs that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.  If you are concerned that your irrational fears and worries stem from an anxiety disorder, it may be time to talk to a counselor in Richmond, VA.  Contact us to hear about our approach to anxiety therapy today.