Anxiety and panic attacks

What is anxiety

It is normal to feel anxious or worried in situations that we see as threatening.

In fact, a certain level of anxiety can be helpful in making us prepare for important events such as exams or job interviews, or by helping us escape from dangerous situations.

Anxiety becomes a problem when it lasts a long time, becomes overwhelming, or affects the way we live our day to day lives.

Problems with anxiety are common, affecting around 1 in 10 of us at some point in our lives. In fact, mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental health problem in the UK. People of all ages and backgrounds can experience problems with anxiety.

Symptoms of anxiety

People who have problems with anxiety may experience number of different psychological and physical symptoms:

Everyone experiences anxiety differently. There may be feelings or physical symptoms listed here that you have never experienced. On the other hand, you may have experienced anxiety in ways other than these.

Anxiety Disorders

For some people, feeling anxious is a symptom of an anxiety disorder. Some of the most common of these are:

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Feeling anxious for a long time about nothing specific. The feelings are often overwhelming and they may stop you from doing things you would like to do.

Panic disorder: Experiencing panic attacks that may come out of the blue. This can cause fear of having more panic attacks and make you avoid certain situations.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Anxiety leads to obsessions (repeated unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviours or mental acts). These obsessions and compulsions can stop you from living a normal life.

Phobias: An intense fear of something specific. The feared object or situation is usually harmless. A phobia will often make you go to great lengths to avoid the feared situation.

Webites

The Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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