Anxiety
Anxiety is a term used to describe feelings of nervousness, tension, fear and worry. Everyone has these feelings at some time. They are a normal response to danger and distress. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is constant and interferes with your daily life.
Symptoms
- Feelings of fear or panic, including a fear of becoming fearful or panicked
- Trembling, sweating, feeling faint, palpitations, nausea, trouble breathing, or sleeping problems
- Going to great lengths to avoid situations that might cause panic or fear
Anxiety disorders | Symptoms |
---|---|
Generalised anxiety | Long-lasting worry about common issues such as family, friends, money, study, health or work. |
Obsessive compulsive | Having frequent unwanted thoughts, distressing images or impulses. Feeling compelled to keep checking things, washing hands, showering. |
Panic attacks | Sudden feeling of intense fear with shortness of breath, dizziness, fast heartbeat, nausea or choking. Worry about going crazy, losing control or dying. |
Post-traumatic stress | Images, thoughts or dreams about an event that caused distress. Avoiding situations, people or places that trigger these symptoms. |
Social phobia | Fear and avoidance of social situations like parties, meetings, speaking in public, going shopping. |
Other phobias | Intense fear of specific things (spiders, dogs, blood) or situations (open spaces). |
Treatment
Getting help early is best, even if your symptoms are mild. A counsellor can help you decide on the best treatment.
Treatments can involve individual or group programs to help you understand the issues causing your anxiety and learn to manage the symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or do not go away, your counsellor may refer you to a doctor to see if medication might help.
Need help?
Make an appointment to see a student counsellor today.