Anxiety

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is our normal alarm system activating the “fight or flight response” to an immediate danger. You have probably felt this type of reaction if someone has surprised you by suddenly appearing unexpectedly in front of you. Your heart rate may increase, you may feel suddenly very hot or feel “butterflies in the stomach”. You may also feel anxiety if you are going to an important job interview or perhaps take a driving test – this would be a normal reaction to a stressful event.

Unfortunately for some of us we suffer with anxiety during what some would call normal day to day events such as having to ask someone for directions, talking on the phone, going out of the house, having to get on public transport, feeling a pain in your body and worrying it could be something more. Then we avoid doing whatever it is that causes our anxiety which makes our world smaller and smaller. To some anxiety isn’t just chest pains, crying and the inability to relax. It’s taking everyday parts of life and intensifying the excitement or fear to the point that they seem impossible to face. Some days are more manageable than others and it is on those days that you try to remind yourself that you can get through whatever anxiety throws your way. I always maintain that people suffering with anxiety are the bravest I know, they feel this fear and can sometimes do it anyway or at least try.

Many people each day, each month and each year feel better about their anxiety using certain tips and techniques. There is no magic wand for fixing anxiety but we know these things work for most people. In most cases they are skills so you have to practise to get the best out of them. The important thing is not to give up because they don’t work first time.