Anxiety

Introduction

Like depression, anxiety is an emotion that is felt by everyone. It becomes a problem when it happens in situations where it isn't helpful.

It can also be useful - If, for example, you are studying for an exam then a bit of anxiety can help, it can stop you going back to the Playstation or watching TV instead of working! However too much anxiety can stop you studying properly because you will be so worried you cannot concentrate.

There are several different types of anxiety but you’ll be glad to know that they can ALL be overcome. Most anxiety is created by how you perceive/think about a situation. For example, if you are claustrophobic, you’ll think that being in a small space makes you feel trapped, out of control, and it may be difficult to breathe, whereas other people will see small spaces as comfy and peaceful.

Severe anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of discomfort and fear, sometimes the idea that something terrible is going to happen even if you don’t know why and even though you know it’s daft. Even reading this page your heart might be beating a little faster and your breathing might get faster.

Why?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion created by our bodies producing adrenaline, it has been around since the start of evolution because when we were cavemen and women we needed it to stay alert enough to keep ourselves alive. 

It is sometimes called the flight or fight response... 

Imagine being a caveman facing a sabre tooth tiger - you would have needed to get your body and mind into a state where you could either fight well or run away pronto-style....

However, we don’t need it as much now because our world is a safer place (at least sabre tooth tigers aren’t a threat anymore).  Sometimes we get anxious about situations that don’t need it or our anxious feelings stays around after a crisis has passed.  Sometimes things remind us unconsciously of dangerous situations we have faced in the past where it was sensible to be anxious, but the current situation isn’t really dangerous. Our brain and body fool us into thinking that the current situation is dangerous and so we get anxious.....

Take a look at our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy section which may help you change the way you think about all sorts of 'scary' situations so that you start feeling more relaxed and comfortable in them.

Who gets anxious?

Everyone gets anxious because it’s a normal human emotion. Some people get more anxious than others, some suffer from panic attacks which are sudden onsets of very severe anxiety. Experiencing a panic attack has been said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life.

However, no matter how bad your anxiety is most of us can overcome it if we want to.

Around 1 in 10 people suffer from long periods of anxiety. Your anxiety can make you avoid certain situations or prevents you doing something in your life that most people find to be normal situations. There are a lot of people just like you in the world but you should be happy with yourself right now, you have alredy taken the first step in getting better, that’s why you’re here!

Causes of anxiety

This changes from person to person but the causes can be directly to do with yourself or the environment you’re in. If you’re an anxious person then you will get more nervous about situations than most – however, by changing your perspective through treatments like CBT you can learn to see that situation in a relaxed way.

Sometimes the cause can be really obvious, for example, if you are scared of flying then flying makes you anxious, or if you have exams approaching. Again it is how you think about the situation. Have you noticed that there are people out there that love flying and some people who are really calm about exams?

Yep, well the reason is because they think about that situation differently than you – but you can learn to look at it in the same way as they do.

What does Anxiety feel like?

This can vary from person to person. Some people say it feels like:

• Being incredibly scared
• A constant nervous and worrying feeling

A big problem with anxiety is that you can get anxious about getting help, you may think about people judging you or what if this happens and what if that happens. The next step to take in order to tackle your problem is to try to gain the strength and courage to seek help and get some therapy. Once you do this you’re well on your way to getting better.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

There are two different sorts of symptoms:

• The way you feel physically
• The way you feel mentally

If you have experienced any of the symptoms below make sure you get yourself some help so you can start to improve your life. Look at our Treatments section and we’ll show you how.

Mental Symptoms

• Feeling worried all the time
• Thinking something terrible is going to happen for no good reason
• Feeling scared frequently
• Getting nervous easily
• Feeling tired a lot
• Feeling irritable
• Finding it hard to concentrate

Physical Symptoms

• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Heavy breathing
• Sweating
• Fast, heavy heart beat
• Muscle tension and pains
• Indigestion and tummy pains
• Butterflies or churning feelings in the stomach

So, if you’ve had symptoms like this and they are accompanied by a feeling of worry/anxiety for more than two weeks, get some help before they can interfere with your life. You can beat anxiety and you will beat it. Once you overcome your anxiety you will feel so much better so do not put off getting help. We want you to get better and you want to be better so start today - “it’s the changes you make today that will make the difference tomorrow.”

Remember... Strong cases of anxiety can make you feel like you have some serious physical illness because it has real physical symptoms.  That is one reason for following the advice below....

What should you do now?

The fact that you have recognised you may have a problem is a very positive step forward. Have a chat with your doctor about how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and any troubles you may have. This might sound like a massively scary thing to do, but please remember your doctor is there to help, it’s all confidential and they won’t judge you at all, they will have met a lot of people that are going through what you are – all they will do is help you out.

When you speak to the doctor discuss with them whether you can see a clinical psychologist so that they go over “talking therapies” with you like CBT.

In the meantime you may want to Chat to a Buddy, or check out our Treatments and Self Help sections, try to take little steps everyday to make yourself feel better.