Feeling anxious ?
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster and is a normal emotional response to danger. What will make one person anxious may not create the same response in someone else. Things like breaking up, concern about exams or a fight with a friend may cause you to feel anxious, worried or scared.Everyone feels some anxiety at different times during their life. It becomes a problem if you feel so anxious that it interferes with your normal day-to-day activities. If this occurs it is important that you seek help. Your local doctor, a clinical psychologist are a good place to start if you are looking for help.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Anxiety can affect both your physical health and your mental health (behaviour and feelings). They can depend on a number of factors. They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time. If you, or a friend has some or many of these symptoms it may be worth talking to your doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counsellor about ways to reduce anxiety Some common ways that anxiety might affect your mental health (behaviour and feelings) include:- irritability or being in a constant bad mood
- worried or a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen
- often ask many unnecessary questions and require constant reassurance
- being very well-behaved, e.g. never get into trouble at school or with friends (though not neccessarily at home)
- get upset when a mistake is made or if there is a change of routine eg sports day, substitute teacher, unexpected visitors or trip to an unfamiliar place
- being a loner, or hanging out with a small group of group of people (who are often younger or older)
- being a perfectionistic, taking a long time to complete homework because you try to get it absolutely correct
- being argumentative (but not usually aggressive), especially if trying to avoid a feared situation
- being pessimistic and easily able to identify read more
