diagnose anxiety Archives - Suzanne Wallach

Ask a Therapist: Is it Re-entry Anxiety? Learn How to Handle Re-Entry Anxiety from a Therapist

The novel coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, traveled rampantly through the world, affecting millions of individuals in a variety of ways. In efforts to slow the spread of the virus, states all across America instituted social distancing guidelines, implemented sporadic stay-at-home orders for all non-essential workers, prohibited in-restaurant dining, closed schools, theaters, exercise studios, museums, public libraries, and more. As the guidelines have evolved to support a new norm, and we continue to move toward a pre-pandemic lifestyle, people are left with the mental and emotional fallout from surviving these social distance mandates for extended periods of time. The anxiety and fear surrounding contracting COVID-19, including the extensive list of severe short-term effects as well as the unknown long-term effects remain deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness.

What Is Re-Entry Anxiety?

As its name indicates, re-entry anxiety is a specific form of stress related to the fear of being unable to adapt to previously established routines. The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics further explains that “re-entry anxiety refers to fear that can accompany letting go of the safeguards that protected us during the COVID-19 pandemic and our re-entry into a world that has been changed by the virus.” This is not an uncommon phenomenon, as results from a 2021 American Psychological Association (APA) survey found that nearly half of Americans reported feeling uncomfortable about readjusting to in-person interactions, and a similar number claimed to experience adverse emotional reactions, including anxiety, when questioned about returning to a pre-pandemic lifestyle.

How To Handle Re-Entry Anxiety

Fortunately, there are ways to help diminish the natural discomforts associated with adjusting to a more public life. To overcome your re-entry anxiety, consider the following suggestions, provided by leading experts:

Start small: to build your confidence and set yourself up for success, start with a small achievable goal that allows you to re-engage with the world and as your comfort level increases, gradually work your way up to more challenging and immersive experiences.
Cultivate a robust supply of relaxation tools and techniques: try out as many different relaxation methods (e.g., meditation, yoga, reading, listening to music, journaling, etc.) as you can to figure out what resonates with you best. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.
Be kind to yourself: avoid self-criticism, treat yourself with respect, and be patient—remember that change takes time.
Take care of your body: practicing healthy habits can improve your mental health. Make sure to:
- Eat nutritious meals
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and other drugs
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
Breathe: ground yourself by focusing on slowing down your breath. This will help pull your focus away from your symptoms and onto your breath.
Acknowledge your feelings: instead of trying to avoid them, by acknowledging and naming your feelings, you can help diffuse and let go of your angst.

It is helpful to bear in mind that re-entry anxiety is not only normal and to be expected, but in the current post-pandemic climate, it serves as an evolutionarily protective. Still, although some level of anxiety is typical when facing significant life changes, it is important to distinguish between reasonable levels of anxiety and those that may signal a more significant issue. When re-entry anxiety becomes excessive or begins to interfere with daily functioning, it may be advantageous to pursue guidance from a mental health professional.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

Norman In Anxiety

Do I have Anxiety? Here’s How to Tell

Helpguide International explains that “anxiety is a normal reaction to danger, the body’s automatic fight-or-flight response that is triggered when you feel threatened, under pressure, or are facing a challenging situation, such as a job interview, exam, or first date.” Basically, anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. Anxiety is often unavoidable, as every individual will experience stress at some point in his or her life. Further, although its symptoms are often unpleasant, experiencing anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing as it can help an individual remain alert and focused. However, there is a big difference between experiencing anxiety and having an anxiety disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association there are several different types of anxiety disorders, some of which include: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia). Anxiety disorders can be debilitating, and interfere with one’s ability to function optimally in one’s everyday life.

Signs and Symptoms

In order to gauge whether or not you are experiencing anxiety it is helpful to be aware of common signs and symptoms. The Mayo Clinic provides examples, some of which include the following:

Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Dry mouth
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Chest pain
Hyperventilation (breathing rapidly)
Muscle aches and pains
Irritability
Feeling nervous, restless and/ or tense
Loss of concentration
Sleep disturbances
Sweating
Trembling
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems

Symptoms can range in severity and duration. It is important to note that while anxiety disorders are highly common, not every individual that experiences anxiety will inevitably go on to develop and anxiety disorder. The exact cause for developing an anxiety disorder remains unknown. Research suggests that it is likely due to a combination of contributing factors such as psychological, environmental, genetic, and developmental factors.

Do I Have An Anxiety Disorder?

Consider the following questions, and if you identify with any of them it could be indicative of an anxiety disorder, and it may be advantageous to seek professional guidance:

Does your anxiety interfere with your daily life (e.g. school, work, family responsibilities, etc.)?
Are you constantly tense, worried, or on edge?
Do you believe that something bad will happen if certain things are not done a certain way?
Do you experience unshakable, irrational fears?
Do you feel like danger and/ or catastrophe is lingering around every corner?
Do you experience sudden, unexpected anxiety attacks?
Do you avoid everyday situations and/ or activities because they cause you anxiety?

In order to obtain the most effective treatment, it is crucial to be thoroughly evaluated and diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional.

Disclaimer:

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above as a means to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.