A Better You: AFMC promotes campaign promotes anxiety awareness Published Sept. 9, 2015 By Staff Reports Air Force Materiel Command Health & Wellness Team WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- During the fall months, Air Force Materiel Command will promote its Mental Fitness Awareness Campaign. According to Comprehensive Airman Fitness, mental fitness is defined as the ability to effectively cope with unique mental stressors and challenges. One way to keep on top of your mental fitness is to understand anxiety. Anxiety can be a motivator or response to the anticipation of an event, with symptoms like butterflies in your stomach, rapid breathing or a pounding heart. All of us worry about issues like relationships, health or money, and have experienced brief anxiety caused by stressful events such as public speaking or a job furlough. But some people may experience anxiety that is persistent, uncontrollable and overwhelming. If it's an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it can be disabling. When anxiety interferes with daily activities, you may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, signs and symptoms of GAD include: -- Persistent worry about everyday things; -- Inability to concentrate; -- Insomnia; -- Difficulty relaxing; -- Headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches or unexplained pains; -- Irritability, excessive sweating, feeling light-headed or out of breath; -- Having to go to the bathroom a lot. If you're experiencing some of those symptoms all the time, for at least two weeks, you may be interested in an anxiety screening. An anonymous, confidential mental health screening is offered on our website, AFMCwellness.com. Screening results are educational, not diagnostic, but are provided so participants may quickly and easily find out if a professional consultation would be helpful. "Mental fitness assistance programs and services are available to members of the AFMC workforce and their families who are dealing with anxiety issues" said Lt. Col. William Hubbard, AFMC Chief of Behavioral Health. "That includes professional counselors, clergy and health care providers." Military OneSource is an option for military members, spouses and dependents. Editor's Note: For more information, call 800-342-9647 or visit militaryonesource.mil. Civilian employees can contact the Employee Assistance Program for free, confidential counseling services at (800) 222-0364 or via the EAP website at FOH4You.com. For more details about anxiety education materials, visit AFMCwellness.com or contact your local Civilian Health Promotion Services team at DSN 497-8030 or 478-327-8030.