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 often occur without  warning or of something having triggered it. As such, it is different from feelings of fear, which happens 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, relationships and school. The worry is often unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation.  Some common symptoms of anxiety are excess sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, body pain, shortness of breath and intrusive thoughts.