When stress gets out of hand

By Dr Bill Maier

It is the middle of the night and you wake up in a cold sweat. Your heart is racing and your mind frantically works to figure out what is wrong. No, this is not a bad dream ... you are probably having an anxiety attack.

Extreme anxiety is more prominent than you might think and people who struggle with it often do not know what to do or where to turn. Some stress is irrational and can become so severe that it leaves a person largely immobilised for weeks at a time. In these cases, it is almost impossible to overcome it without professional help.

But other types of stress can actually make us stronger. Everyone goes through times of trial and confusion, and anxiety is a natural response. A healthy dose of concern can often help us work through a problem, or motivate us to change.

The key is knowing when anxiety has gotten out of hand. If you go through long periods of depression or laziness on the heels of a stressful situation, you might want to see a doctor.

From TODAY, Voices – Wednesday, 20-May-2009