When Worrying Gets You Down

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A Story About John

• John lived with his mom and dad. Then he moved to a group home.
• Now he worries a lot about moving.
• When someone new comes to visit, John runs to his room.
• John is afraid that visitors will make him move away.
• He asks his support staff over and over again, “Do I have to move?”

What is anxiety?

• Anxiety is another name for worry.
• You have anxiety, if you are worrying about something that is:
  • New to you,
  • Hard to learn or do, or
  • A problem in your life.

What is stress?

• Stress happens when you are upset or afraid.
• You feel stress when you think there is something to fear or be upset about.
• A person, place or situation can cause you to feel stress.
• Things that cause stress for you may not cause stress for someone else.

Worrying can be good or bad.

• A little stress or worry can help you work harder to do your best.
• Too much worrying can make you sick.
• Too much worrying can get in the way of your everyday life.

Stress can make your body feel bad.

• People react to stress in different ways.
  • Some people get a headache.
  • Some people get stomach aches.
  • Some people feel their heart beat very fast.

What do worry and stress feel like?

• You might feel:
  • Tired a lot of the time
  • Hungry all the time
  • Clumsy
  • Scared
  • Unhappy
• You might have:
  • Sweaty hands
  • Trouble sleeping
  • A dry mouth
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Shakes and shivers
  • Tight or sore muscles

Medicine can change how much you worry.

• Some medicine helps people worry less.
• If you can’t stop worrying, your doctor might give you medicine to help.
• Some medicine makes people worry more.
• Ask your doctor if the medicine you take might make you worry.

How can you deal with worry?

• Here are some healthy ways to deal with worry and stress:
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Don't eat too much
  • Get enough sleep
  • Exercise regularly
  • Spend time with friends
  • Do things for fun
• Here are some healthy ways to deal with worrying and stress:
  • Don’t drink coffee or soda with caffeine
  • Avoid alcoholic drinks
  • Don't smoke or use drugs
  • Learn ways to relax like:
  • Deep breathing
  • Yoga

Call your doctor if you:

• Can’t do anything but sit and worry
• Think about hurting yourself
• Feel afraid for no reason
• Repeat an action over and over again, like washing your hands

Call 911 if you:

• Have sharp chest pain
• Have a hard time breathing
• Feel like you are going to faint

Remember to take it easy and relax!

• Relaxing helps keep you from worrying.
• Check out 5 Ways To Take it Easy for ideas to help you relax.