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Mental Health

Overcoming Anxiety

Summary & Participants

We've all experienced anxiety at one time or another, and a little anxiety never hurt anyone. But too much anxiety can interfere with your ability to function in the everyday world, and may have harmful consequences on your body. Join our panel of experts as they discuss anxiety and offer some helpful tips on how to overcome it.

Medically Reviewed On: July 03, 2008

Webcast Transcript

Something that a spouse or family member could look for would be, I think, withdrawn, someone being more apprehensive, more tentative in the moment than otherwise noted, seeing someone complaining of some of the physiological, I don't feel well; I'm more tired than usual.

PAUL MONIZ: Some of the nonspecific symptoms that can't really be attributed to anything. Is that something that will happen?

WILLY WIENER, PhD: Uh-hmm. Yeah. I think just to add to what Fran was talking about a moment ago, it's also characterized by an inability to control the stress. Folks who really have difficulty with this make efforts to bring their anxiety levels down that are unsuccessful. I don't know that there is a definitive line between normal stress and pathological anxiety. But when you're really beginning to have difficulties with this, you can't control it any more.

PAUL MONIZ: What is the long term effect of clinical anxiety on the body? Are there medical concerns -- ulcers, those kinds of things?

WILLY WIENER, PhD: Ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches.

FRANCIS MASSINO, PhD: Chronic back aches. Looking at some of the restlessness, the insomnia and how that contributes to just an overall feeling of fatigue.

PAUL MONIZ: Is there generally an admission by the person who is suffering this or is there a wall of denial that they are actually anxious? Generally, obviously, it would differ from person to person.

WILLY WIENER, PhD: In general, our experience has been that people are forthcoming with this. A lot of times they are looking for some kind of medical explanation. There is something wrong with my heart, or I've got a pulmonary problem that I've been to the doctor to explore. So people are very aware and upfront about this because it's frightening.

PAUL MONIZ: Does being stressed out, so to speak, predispose you to developing an anxiety disorder?

WILLY WIENER, PhD: Yes. I think it certainly does. There are simple things that people can do I think to not allow the cumulative effect of stress to develop into an anxiety disorder.

PAUL MONIZ: This is a continuum or it can be if you don't stop it or control it?

WILLY WIENER, PhD: Yeah, I think that's accurate.

FRANCIS MASSINO, PhD: I agree.

PAUL MONIZ: What kinds of things would you recommend that people should do to control it?

WILLY WIENER, PhD: Taking brief times off work, taking your lunch, taking a walk, disengaging yourself from your worries and your work for short periods. They need not be long periods, but giving yourself a chance to step out of the moment, step away from the stress and decompress.

PAUL MONIZ: Okay, some very good advice. Dr. Fran Massino, thank you very much for your time. Dr. Willy Wiener, as well. Both from the Institute for Performance Advancement in Manhattan. Remember there is a difference between stress and clinical anxiety. If you have questions, and you cannot cope, you should consult a professional. I'm Paul Moniz, thanks for joining us.

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