ANXIETY

What is it, symptoms and causes

ANXIETY

What is anxiety?

It is normal to experience some worry or stress when dealing with life’s challenges. However, people suffering from anxiety disorders feel an abnormal level of worry and stress, interfering with the ability to lead a normal life.

Anxiety disorders refer to a group of mental disorders characterised by feelings of anxiety and fear.

These may include:

Generalised anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Phobias
Social anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Disorders may range from mild to severe, however, the duration of symptoms makes anxiety disorders more chronic than episodic. In many incidences anxiety disorders may lead to depression.

Symptoms of anxiety

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

Tightness in chest
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Difficulty swallowing
Heart palpitations
Sleep problems
Difficulty staying calm
Excessive sweating
Dry mouth
Tremors or shakes
Nausea
Muscle tension
Dizziness

Causes of anxiety

The cause of anxiety can be very difficult to identify, however it is most commonly triggered by the stress of day-to-day living and a combination of environmental and medical factors.

Common factors which can cause anxiety include:

Stress at work
Stress from school
Relationship problems
Financial worries
An emotional trauma
A serious illness
Medication side effects
Genetic predisposition