Mommy Medicine: The modern prevalence of anxiety disorders

SALT LAKE CITY — Anxiety disorders. They're among the most common problems mothers and children deal with, yet many don't even realize they're suffering from an illness.

Many people go through life in a constant state of worry. It is very common for people to have physical symptoms that are really anxiety-related — things like chronic headaches, nausea before important appointments, chest pain, abdominal pain, and muscle aches and pains.

Many children who suffer from anxiety disorders won't realize there's a problem until they leave home for an extended period of time and find they just cannot cope with stress. Mothers usually discover their anxiety disorder as life gets busier and they start feeling like they can never be what everyone wants them to be.

Many people suffering from an anxiety disorder literally think they are going crazy, but let me tell you all you are not crazy! Whether brought on by external situations or internal imbalances, anxiety disorders are medical conditions that can be treated.

As [WebMD.com](<a href=>) states, general symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

• Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
• Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
• Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences
• Nightmares
• Ritualistic behaviors, such as repeated hand washing
• Problems sleeping
• Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• An inability to be still and calm
• Dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Nausea
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness

If you don't realize you have an anxiety disorder, you'll likely try and treat the physical symptoms listed above. However, the key is to treat the underlying cause. The physical problems won't go away until you address the anxiety.

Ask Nurse Suzy

Do you have a question for Nurse Suzy, or maybe a topic you'd like her opinion on? Email her at nursesuzyksl@gmail.com.

Overall, I believe anxiety and depression are such big problems in our society because we overwhelm ourselves with activities, responsibilities, wants, needs, etc. Solutions need to be considered before you drive yourself crazy with worry.

Here are a few ways you can seek help:

1. Try to reduce the expectation on yourself and others. You need to reduce pressure in your life at all costs.
2. It is most important, if you can afford it, to seek counseling. You need a neutral party to feel safe in expressing yourself. I cannot stress the importance of getting a good counselor. You need a counselor who is there to help you work through your problems with patience and love.
3. Talk to your counselor or visit a doctor to see if medication can help. It may be needed until you can get your thought process calm enough to function normally without worry. Medication is not always a bad thing. In fact, in some people the anxiety stems from a chemical imbalance that inhibits their brain from processing stress correctly, and medication will restore that balance to their brain. Herbal remedies can also help, but do your research.

All of these solutions lead to the ultimate goal: changing the way you think. In "The Feeling Good Handbook," author [ Dr. David D. Burns](<a href=>) shares the "10 Forms of Twisted Thinking," which include: all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, mental filter, discounting the positive, jumping to conclusions, magnification, emotional reasoning, "should" statements, labeling, personalization and blame. [CLICK HERE for more information]

Understanding and living by these concepts, Burns says, will help you proceed on your journey of healthy, happy living.

Share your story: Have you found other ways to help treat your anxiety? Share them here on the Comment Board or the Motherhood Matters Facebook page.

Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.

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