Anxiety & Phobias

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Everyone experiences mild anxiety when faced with stressful situations, like just before an exam or a presentation. This kind of anxiety is normal and is our body’s way of preparing us to act in challenging situations. Anxiety can actually help us perform better by helping us feel alert. Anxiety can become a problem when it is very intense, happens a lot of the time, feels overwhelming or it interferes with your daily living.

People with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).

These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.

Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.

Whatever form of anxiety you have, treatment can help.

Physical feelings of anxiety include an increased heart rate, faster breathing, muscle tension, sweating, shaking and ‘butterflies in the stomach’. People with anxiety disorders experience these physical symptoms a lot more often. They might also experience:

• Persistent worrying and excessive fears
• Being unable to relax
• Avoiding challenging situations
• Being socially isolated or withdrawn
• Trouble concentrating and paying attention
• Poor sleep
• Problems with work, social or family life.