34 / 48
34
Text-Based Questions
1. What are some physical illnesses that can look or feel similar to anxiety
disorders?
2. Why do doctors ask so many questions?
3. Why is it important to be honest with your doctor?
Research Project
There are lots of physical problems that also involve anxiety. For example,
asthma is a problem with breathing, but people with asthma also experience
a lot of anxiety. Other examples include anemia, insomnia, premenstrual
syndrome, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. Select a physical problem that
interests you, and then find out more about how anxiety plays a role. (If you are
interested in bipolar disorder, eating disorders, or sleep disorders, you might start
by reading other volumes in this set.)
Different problems need different solutions. These questions
help the doctor figure out the right solutions for you.
It might be hard, but you must tell the truth. For example,
it might be embarrassing to say, “I count from 1 to 12 in my
head. If I do it 12 times, I feel a bit better.” You might not
want to admit that you count in your head. You might think it
“sounds crazy” to say so.
But you are not “crazy”! And your doctor will not judge
you. Your doctor wants to help.