Information about Anxiety

Anxiety often goes alongside depression, although not always. General anxiety is when a person feels abnormally tense, worried and apprehensive about lots of different things, even when there is no need to be.

Someone is diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder when the symptoms they experience start to affect their day to day life. They may experience a range of alarming physical symptoms, to the extent that they are certain there is something medically wrong, and, though it may not appear obvious, they may be anxious and worried much of the time.

A person with a high level of anxiety, or an anxiety disorder, worries about what might or might not happen, and how they could be affected in a negative way.

Symptoms of Anxiety

The following are some of the most common symptoms that a person might experience if their levels of stress and anxiety are at an unusually high level, or if they have an anxiety disorder: feeling on edge and tense, very fast or very slow heart beat, blocked throat, feeling sick, feeling as if they could faint, stomach churning, pins and needles, fast breathing, feeling that they can't breathe, feeling as if they are detached and separate from everyone and everything, stomach churning, rashes and spots, churning things over and over in their mind, constantly worrying about what might or might not happen, and how they could be affected in a negative way. (There are however many more symptoms,  which you will find listed in my book How not to worry - how to stop anxiety spoiling your life.) As with depression, it is so important to see the doctor in the first instance in case your symptoms are due to something else, for example an illness or infection, or a deficiency of some kind.

Although the person may be convinced that there is something medically wrong, or that they are mentally ill, this is much more likely to be the result of an overworked nervous system. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Agoraphobia, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are all categories of anxiety disorder. Often more than one type of anxiety disorder exists together. And of course a person can be depressed at the same time as well.

Without a doubt, the experience of an anxiety disorder can be utterly terrifying. I have both personal and professional experience of anxiety, so I understand how it can blight a person's life. Being around someone who has an anxiety disorder is really tough too. You want to help, but you can feel completely powerless as you watch that person battling with their fears. You may find their behaviour bewildering and exasperating. But they cannot just snap out of it, and they would usually give anything to feel better.

If your partner is highly anxious, or if they have an anxiety disorder, you may find that no matter how much you help and support them, their behaviour and their worry wears you down. Many people find themselves in this position, so know that you are not alone - but make sure you get some support for yourself.

Read Caroline's article on anxiety in Positive Health Online

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