Anxiety
We all feel anxious sometimes – it might be about exam results, a job interview or even who will win the final of a sports match. This anxiety is a normal part of life and in fact is necessary to help us avoid danger or perform at our best. For some people, the feelings of anxiety can be much more extreme. This anxiety is more than feeling stressed – it's a serious condition that makes day-to-day life difficult.
Common symptoms include:
· Feeling anxious, on edge or worried most of the time
· Feeling overwhelmed, frightened or panic
· Physical symptoms include: racing heart, tightening of chest, muscle tension, butterflies in stomach, feeling nauseous
· You may start to avoid things that make you worry, and/or engage in compulsive behaviour
· You may have persistent and overwhelming thoughts, and/or obsessive thinking
How common is anxiety?
The prevalence of anxiety in children and adolescents is estimated between 5-10%. The average age of onset is 11 years, but this can range between 5 to 20 years.
What to do if you are worried about anxiety symptoms.
If your condition is fairly mild, your symptoms might be relieved with lifestyle changes like getting regular sleep and exercise, planning workloads and positive activities, using calming and self-help strategies. School counsellors can provide helpful advice and there are a range of strategies on the internet.
If your symptoms of anxiety are moderate to severe you might need psychological and/or medical treatment. If your symptoms are getting in the way of your everyday functioning visit your GP to discuss your concerns and gain referral to a mental health practitioner. Alternatively, contact Bendigo Headspace for support.