Anxiety is a normal response to feeling threatened. How vulnerable people feel in different situations differs between individuals, and can be influenced by past experiences as well as by the beliefs and attitudes they hold and are taught about these situations.
Some general situations which often cause anxiety include:
- leaving home
- coping with work and exams
- dealing with relationships or the lack of relationships
- sexuality issues
- preparing to leave university
- starting or finding a new job
- moving to a new area
But sometimes it can be specific situations that provoke anxiety such as:
- apprehension about going into new or social situations
- having to deal with people in authority
- worrying about whether you have chosen the right course or job
- panic about preparing for and taking exams or giving a presentation
- fears about health.
Anxiety can range from mild uneasiness and worry to severe panic. At a reasonable level, short bursts of anxiety can motivate us and enhance our performance. But if anxiety becomes too severe or chronic, it can become debilitating, preventing us from living our daily lives or reaching our full potential.
Anxiety typically involves an emotional component (such as fear or nervousness), a physical component (such as trembling/shaking, a dry mouth, racing heart, stomach churning) and a cognitive component (frightening thoughts, such as I'm going to fail, or make a fool of myself, or even lose control). These can then affect our behaviour, for example by putting off or stopping work, avoiding people, not sleeping, or drinking too much.
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