Published on 09/16/2007

Overwhelmed by Anxiety?

Question: I am having problems with feeling anxious. What are some of the causes of anxiety and when should I get help?

Answer: Anxiety is one of this century's most common problems. We live in an "age of anxiety." Some of the most common causes are: a real or perceived threat, conflict with someone or abuse, reoccurring memories of trauma, stress, perfectionism, unmet needs, excessive guilt and physiological problems. Sometimes people have such difficulty with anxiety and worry that it impairs their thinking, sleeping, appetite, relationships, daily functioning and ability to cope with work.

When this occurs you need to get help.
First obtain a physical exam to rule out any underlying health problems and then seek out pastoral and professional Christian counseling. There is spiritual help and hope if you are suffering from any of the anxiety disorders. Billy Graham wrote: "anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us." And the Lord addresses our fears by providing Himself as our security. In Isaiah 41:13 He says "Do not fear I will help you..." and Jeremiah 1:8 "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you".(NIV) Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for real inner peace when your fears and the circumstances of life are weighing you down. He said in John 10:27-28 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."(NIV)

Anxiety Inventory:
To discover whether you have a significant problem with anxiety ask yourself whether any of these statements are true of you:

1. I have had intense fear, excessive worry or apprehension occurring much of the time for the last 3-6 months.

2. I have difficulty controlling the worry

3. I am experiencing restlessness

4. I feel keyed up or on edge

5. I am easily fatigued

6. I have difficulty concentrating

7. I feel irritable most of the time

8. My muscles usually feel tense

9. I am having sleep disturbances

10.I am having difficulties socializing

11.I am having difficulties going to work or working

12. I am having difficulties in other areas of functioning

13. I am having appetite and weight disturbances.

Part 11: What Triggers Anxiety and Panic?

A stressful event or thought triggers the classic 'flight or fight' response that human beings experience when they are in a situation of danger. But during a panic attack, these symptoms seem to rise from out of nowhere. They occur in seemingly harmless situations.
I have had clients who say that they weren't under any stress or were sleeping when it happened.

There may be a genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders; some sufferers report that a family member has or had a panic disorder or some other emotional disorder such as depression. All ethnic groups are vulnerable to panic disorder. For unknown reasons, women are twice as likely to get the disorder as men.

When I have explored what is going on with people I have found that they are experiencing other specific anxieties and/or phobias. One client had a fear of flying, and being in elevators. I believe that underlying fears can multiply one's fears and thus result in panic attacks. Then he/she thinks that the panic attacks are coming "out of the blue".

Children can suffer from panic. Children today have more reasons than ever to react fearfully. They live in unstable situations at home. Home is no longer a safe place. Mom or Dad are coming home drunk. Then they are fighting and arguing. Children are experiencing verbal, physical or sexual abuse. They are suffering loss from divorcing parents or a death in their families. Generally, children haven't learned how to problem-solve or handle stress in healthy ways. They may hold all their feelings inside. Then, eventually, the feelings and fears show up when these children start acting out, become depressed, anxious, or experience phobias, or panic attacks.

If you have some of the symptoms of anxiety or panic disorder please contact AACC for a referral to a Christian professional or see your family physician for a physical exam and recommendations.

There is spiritual help and hope if you are suffering from any of the anxiety disorders. The Lord addresses our fears by providing Himself as our security. In Isaiah 41:13 He says "Do not fear I will help you..." and Jeremiah 1:8 "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you".(NIV) Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for real inner peace when your fears and the circumstances of life are weighing you down. He said in John 10:27-28 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."(NIV) Read the gospel of John in the New Testament to understand who Jesus Christ is and how to have a personal relationship with Him.

Resources: Order The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart and read some of the articles on faith on this site.