Anxiety
College can be incredibly anxiety provoking, especially at first. There are so many new faces and experiences, in addition to the academic pressure to succeed.
Much of anxiety is situational—such as test anxiety, public speaking anxiety, and social anxiety. It is a very normal response to stress. Anxiety can be a good thing when we are in a dangerous situation (it can lead to fight or flight response) or when we need to focus on a presentation. For most the level of anxiety is not a problem. We may get anxious before a test, but this is short lived and does not impede our test-taking abilities.
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Butterflies in stomach
- Elevated heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Cold hands
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing thoughts
Types of Anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Specific phobias
- Generalized anxiety disorder
Additional Resources
- Understanding Anxiety Disorders – Psych Central
- Specific Anxiety Disorders – National Institute of Mental Health
Counseling and Psychological Services offers services such as Biofeedback Therapy to address symptoms of anxiety. If you feel you may be struggling with anxiety, an anxiety disorder, or are unsure, please contact us at 850.474.2420 or stop by Counseling and Psychological Services in Building 960, Suite 200A, to schedule an appointment.
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