Charles H. Elliott

This article reviews some of the biological roots of anxiety, as well as the consequences of chronic stress on health. Most people with anxiety describe uncomfortable physical symptoms that go along with their worries. They may experience heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, sweats, or muscle tension. Those symptoms are evidence that anxiety is truly a disorder of both the mind and the body.

As common as anxiety disorders are, believing that you’re suffering from anxiety when you’re not is all too easy. Prescription drugs may have a variety of side effects, some of which mimic a few of the symptoms of anxiety. Sometimes what you eat or drink can make you feel anxious. Various medical conditions also produce symptoms that imitate the signs of anxiety.

Some people find that self-help is all they need. They read about good ways of dealing with their anxiety, and then they apply what they’ve discovered. Voilà! Their anxiety gradually fades to a manageable level.However, no self-help book is intended to completely replace professional help. And anxiety sometimes requires the assistance of a professional, just like complicated tax matters may call for a certified public accountant or deciding to draw up a will may send you to an attorney.

If you have a child with anxiety, don’t make yourself anxious by blaming yourself for the problem. Anxiety in children is common, and multiple factors probably went into making your kid anxious. So now what do you do? Read on. © fizkes / Shutterstock.com Help yourself first If you’ve traveled on a commercial flight, you’ve probably heard flight attendants instruct you about how to deal with the oxygen masks should they drop down.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably made some headway with your anxiety. Maybe, after all your hard work, you’ve experienced a setback, or perhaps you’re worried about one. Not to worry. We have ten ideas for you to use when anxiety shows up again in your life. © New Africa / Shutterstock.comDon't be afraid to join a support group or anxiety chat room.

Anxiety appears in different ways for different people. Some people have anxious thoughts; others feel anxiety in their body. Most people with anxiety try to avoid what makes them anxious, but that just makes things worse. Instead, you can take a measured approach to confronting whatever causes your anxiety. © Billion Photos / Shutterstock.