ANXIETY & STRESS
What is anxiety?
We all get anxious sometimes. People with anxiety disorders have intensive, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. There are many types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and specific phobias. Globally, anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders, affecting 1 in 6 adults (World Health Organization, 2019).
Some common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Difficulty sleeping
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Physical symptoms, such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and trembling
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
Many people experience these anxiety symptoms without being anxious. You might be anxious if these symptoms persist for two or more weeks, and are not caused by a clear trigger such as death of a loved one, substance use, or health issues.