Anxiety
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. However, some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.
But some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:
- panic disorder
- phobias, such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
The information in this section is about a specific condition called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
GAD is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than 1 specific event.
People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.
As soon as 1 anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.
Symptoms of Anxiety
GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include: feeling restless or worried. Having trouble concentrating or sleeping. Dizziness or heart palpitations
Causes of Anxiety
The exact cause of GAD is not fully understood, although it's likely that a combination of several factors plays a role. Research has suggested that these may include: Overactivity in areas of the brain involved in emotions and behaviour an imbalance of the brain chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline, which are involved in the control and regulation of mood. The genes you inherit from your parents – you're estimated to be 5 times more likely to develop GAD if you have a close relative with the condition. Having a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying. Having a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis. Having a history of drug or alcohol misuse - But many people develop GAD for no apparent reason.
Treatment for Anxiety
GAD can have a significant effect on your daily life, but several different treatments are available that can ease your symptoms. These include: psychological therapies – you can get psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS; you do not need a referral from a GP and you can refer yourself for psychological therapies service in your area. Medicine – such as a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). With treatment, many people are able to control their anxiety levels. But some treatments may need to be continued for a long time and there may be periods when your symptoms worsen.
Further Reading
The following articles contain additional information about our mental health:
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. Self-esteem, is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it.
Relationships
Having a mental illness is hard enough, but the stigma associated with mental health conditions can add an extra layer of stress for both partners. The person with a mental illness may feel shame, embarrassment, or guilt about their condition. They may try to hide their symptoms or fail to seek the help they need.
Addiction
Developing an addiction isn’t a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription medications can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that makes sobriety seem like an impossible goal.
Stress
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.
Grief
You feel grief if something terribly sad happens, like if your dog dies or if your childhood sweetheart breaks up with you.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
-
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
-
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth. Self-esteem, is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it.
-
Relationships
Having a mental illness is hard enough, but the stigma associated with mental health conditions can add an extra layer of stress for both partners. The person with a mental illness may feel shame, embarrassment, or guilt about their condition. They may try to hide their symptoms or fail to seek the help they need.
-
Addiction
Developing an addiction isn’t a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription medications can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that makes sobriety seem like an impossible goal.
-
Stress
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline.
-
Grief
You feel grief if something terribly sad happens, like if your dog dies or if your childhood sweetheart breaks up with you.
-
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
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