Feeling overwhelmed, all of the time?
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry, or fear than can range from mild and manageable, to overwhelming and debilitating. We all feel anxiety some of the times, it is completely normal to have an anxious reaction to common life circumstances such as a job interview, a medical exam and so on.
What causes anxiety?
Anxiety can be caused by normal events lie those described above, but for some others, it can be triggered by unresolved childhood issues (such as childhood abuse or neglect, bulling, loss and bereavement at a young age), physical and mental health issues (such living with chronic illness or as a symptom of other mental health problems), as a reaction to certain prescribed medications. For some, alcohol and recreational drug use can also cause the feeling of anxiety.
For many, the way that we live our lives now also induces feelings of anxiety: working long hours, too much screen time, feeling financial pressures and so on.
When anxiety becomes chronic
When someone’s worry goes beyond the normal anxious reactions to life events we all have, it can start to affect someone’s daily life. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition that causes someone to feel a chronic and constant buzz of anxiety over a wide range of things, rather than having a reaction to one specific event. As soon as one anxiety is resolved, another appears about a different issue. Those with GAD feel anxious most days and struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.
If you think you have GAD see your doctor who can talk to you about ways to manage it
For further information and advice:
Overcoming Anxiety (Overcoming Books): A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques, Helen Kennerley
The Anxiety Workbook: A 7-Week Plan to Overcome Anxiety, Stop Worrying, and End Panic, Arlin Cuncic