Many of those who struggle with an anxiety condition do so because of their fear of their symptoms and their ongoing concern about how they feel. They struggle in these areas because they don't understand the connection between anxiety symptoms and stress. Learning about the anxiety-stress connection is an important step toward recovery and long-term success.

If you are afraid of your symptoms and concerned about how you feel, you may want to research the anxiety-stress connection so that you can see how they are linked and how one can negatively feed off of the other.

Note: Members can read about this connection and learn how to become unafraid of their symptoms in the new and revised sections in the member's area on "Dealing with Symptoms" in CHAPTER SIX: Cognitive Strategies for Recovery and Sustained Normal Health.

Ever since my anxiety has gotten worse, I get shooting and stabbing pains in my head and face. Can anxiety cause this?

Yes. These are very common symptoms of stress (including anxiety-caused stress).

While they can be annoying and distressing, they aren't harmful. Generally, as stress and anxiety decrease, these symptoms eventually decrease, too.

Accepting these sensations and learning to be unafraid of them, can help to diminish symptoms as your stress and anxiety decrease.

Members can read more about this symptom, such as why it appears, what physiological aspects cause it, and what short-term remedy options can help alleviate it, in the Symptoms Listing section in the member’s area of our website.

Non-members can find a list of common anxiety symptoms in the Anxiety Symptoms section.

Have a great week!