Anxiety is a natural response to stress, nervousness or fear about the future. When you feel anxious, you may experience an increased heart rate, hyperventilation, difficulty focusing and an overall feeling of danger, panic or dread. While it is normal to experience anxiety occasionally, when it begins to impact your life — such as your personal health, relationships or performance at work — seeking help can provide timely relief.
 
There are many types of anxiety disorders as well as many causes, including a traumatic experience, a stressful environment and biological processes in the brain. The way each person experiences anxiety is also unique. For some, anxiety occurs in social situations, for others, panic attacks may come on suddenly and with intensity. Others may experience anxiety related to a specific animal, object or situation, also known as a phobia. 
 
As with most mental health concerns, it's best to work with a mental health professional. There are three main approaches, often used in combination: talk therapy, medication and relaxation training. The good news — anxiety treatment is quite effective and many people experience a reduction or elimination of symptoms in just a short time.

Help is Available

SupportLinc, NFDA’s member assistance program, is available 24/7/365 to provide advocacy and resources to support a variety of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, work-related pressures, relationship issues or substance abuse. Seeking help from SupportLink is confidential and available at no charge to you and members of your immediate family at no charge as a benefit of membership. 

Learn more at www.nfda.org/SupportLinc. 

SupportLinc is administered by CuraLinc.