Anxiety
What makes 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. A counsellor or a clinical psychologist and a Doctor 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/emotions). 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, have some or many of the following 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 constantly being in a bad mood
- worry or a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen
- often ask many unnecessary questions and require constant reassurance
- being very well-behaved, eg never get into trouble at school or with friends (though not necessarily at home)
- get upset when a mistake is made or if there is a change of routine, eg sports day, a substitute teacher, unexpected visitors, or a 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 perfectionist, eg taking a long time to complete homework because you try to have it absolutely correct
- being argumentative (but not usually aggressive), especially when trying to avoid a feared situation
- being pessimistic and easily able to identify what may go wrong in any given situation
- not answering questions and rarely volunteering comments or information at school or college.
- dry mouth and/or difficulty swallowing
- nightmares
- difficulty getting to and staying asleep
- difficulty concentrating
- muscle tension and headaches
- rapid heart rate and breathing
- sweating
- trembling
- diarrhea
- flare-up of another health problem or illness (e.g. dermatitis, asthma)
- sexual problems, such as not being having any sexual feelings or being interested in sex.
What can I do if I am feeling anxious?
Making changes
Look at the times when you get anxious and the things that cause you stress. Can you identify changes you can make that might help? Are there people that make the situation better or worse? Are there things that make you feel more relaxed that you can do more of? It’s easy to get so caught up in day-to-day life that you don’t take time to think about what’s going on in your life and what makes you happy.
Eating and exercise
When people feel anxious they often neglect themselves. Ensuring that you are eating healthy foods and regular meals as well as getting regular exercise will improve your overall health and well-being.
Relaxation
There are loads of ways to relax, and different things work for different people, but it’s really important to find something that works for you. Whether it’s going for a walk run or swim, doing a class like yoga or pilates, learning to meditate, or playing golf football with a friend, take some time out just for yourself.
Talking
Bottling things up is likely to keep your anxiety levels high. If possible, talk to a friend about the things that are making you feel anxious and see if they can be resolved.
More information on anxiety
If you are feeling so anxious that it is impacting on your day-to-day life, you might have an anxiety
disorder. Research has shown that counselling is very effective in helping people overcome anxiety
disorders. People like your local doctor can help you either themselves or can refer you to someone
specialising in anxiety disorders. Medication may also be helpful in managing symptoms and is something
that a doctor or psychiatrist may advise as part of treatment.
If you suffer from anxiety. Please feel free to contact me on (087) 320 6842 or (053) 938 2819.