What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal, if unpleasant, part of life, and it can affect us all in different ways and at different times. Anxiety is something that can persist whether or not the cause is clear to the sufferer.

Anxiety can make a person imagine that things in their life are worse than they really are, and prevent them from confronting their fears. Some people have a very identifiable cause for their anxiety; a traumatic incident, lots of stressors or have undergone a significant life event (moving house, getting divorced, having surgery). However, some people do not have an identifiable cause for their anxiety and this causes them some distress. Often people use something positive that they can do to manage their anxiety, such as yoga, exercise, reading, listening to music or spending time with family or friends.

Symptoms of Anxiety

Common physical symptoms

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased muscle tension
  • Hyperventilation (over breathing)
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Shaking
  • Palpitations
  • Increased perspiration
  • Tension headaches

Common psychological symptoms

  • Thinking you may lose control of your mind/thoughts
  • Thinking you might die
  • Feeling detached from your environment and the people in it
  • Feeling like wanting to run away/escape from the situation
  • Feeling on edge and alert to everything around you

Retrieved from:  www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/anxiety-information

Getting support

Other places to find support