Anxiety

Anxiety is a physiological and psychological state characterised by cognitive, somatic, emotional and behavioral elements. These components together create an unsettling feeling that is generally associated with uneasiness, apprehension, fear, dread or worry. Anxiety is what is termed a generalised mood condition that can occur with or without warning. As such, it is different from feelings of fear, which happen in response to an observed or perceived threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.

People with symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder tend to always expect something to go wrong and can’t stop worrying about their health, money, family, work/school or relationships. The worry is often unrealistic and/or out of proportion to the situation. Some common symptoms of anxiety are excess sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, body pain, shortness of breath and intrusive thoughts.