Everybody experiences worry, fear, stress, nervousness, and tension at some point in their lives. It’s natural to fret over a test score, stress out over bills, or worry about relationships.

So how do you know if your anxiety has escalated from normal worry to dysfunctional anxiety? Here are a few telltale signs:

• Do you worry about almost everything?
• Do you find it hard to control your worry?
• Do you find yourself worrying about things that other people do not?
• Do you feel restless, tense, or on edge most of the day?
• Do racing thoughts regularly keep you up at night?
• Are you often irritable?
• Do people makes comments about your anxiety? (e.g., “You’re too high strung.”)
• Does your anxiety have a significant impact on your work, school, and/or social life?

If you answered yes to many of these questions then you might have a problem with anxiety. You wouldn’t be alone if you do. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 18% of the U.S. adult population suffers from an anxiety disorder. That’s 40 million people! The good news is that you can control anxiety. Here are some practical methods to help you manage anxiety. Read More →