Anxiety: What you need to know

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Anxiety is fairly common with roughly 3.6% of the population struggling with it.

The Different Types of Anxiety Disorders:

Anxiety is a key part of these different disorders:

• panic disorder: experiencing recurring panic attacks at unexpected times. A person with panic disorder may live in fear of the next panic attack.

• phobia: excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity

• social anxiety disorder: extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations

• obsessive-compulsive disorder: recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviors

• separation anxiety disorder: fear of being away from home or loved ones

• illness anxiety disorder: anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria)

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): anxiety following a traumatic event

Symptoms of Anxiety:

• increased heart rate

• rapid breathing

• restlessness

• trouble concentrating

• difficulty falling asleep

Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack:

Have you ever experienced feelings of overwhelming apprehension, distress, worry or fear with symptoms such as feeling faint or dizzy, shortness of breath, dry mouth, sweating, chills or hot flashes, restlessness and numbness or tingling? If you answered yes, you most likely experienced an anxiety attack. It is important to note that a panic attack and an anxiety attack are not the same thing.

Causes of Anxiety:

• Genetics

• Environmental Factors

• Brain Chemistry Where to find help:

Where to find help:

SADAG Mental Health Line

011 234 4837

Suicide Crisis Line

0800 567 567

References:

Anxiety. (n.d.). South African Depression and Anxiety Group. Retrieved from http://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=114

WARNING

You may think that you recognize certain symptoms and/or disorders in yourself and others while reading this information! Please do not diagnose yourself because you will probably cause yourself unnecessary stress and distress. You are also, by law not allowed to make a diagnosis, as only registered Psychologists and Psychiatrists may do so.