Anxiety
Anxiety is a really normal human experience. Sometimes it can become too big, and when young people get caught in the tail whip of anxiety, it can swipe at their belief in themselves, their engagement with the world, and the glistening unfolding of their potential – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Anxiety is very manageable, and any important adult in the life of a young person has a profound capacity to strengthen children and teens against anxiety and towards courage and resilience. With all anxiety, comes opportunities to strengthen children and teens with a mindset, skills and qualities that will lead them towards deeply fulfilling, brave, whole-hearted living. Let’s talk about how.
Behaviour
Anxiety can lead to you avoiding situations that make you feel anxious. This can impact on study, work, your relationships and everyday activities.
I… began skipping social events and spent a lot of time alone. After school I studied by myself in the library or locked away in my room. My parents thought I was just shy. But it wasn’t that I didn’t want to go out. It was because I experienced intense anxiety in social situations.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
We all feel anxious sometimes, it’s a normal part of life. If your anxious feelings start to impact your quality of life and day-to-day functioning, it can be a sign of an anxiety condition.
Anxiety symptoms can develop over time. Because we all experience anxious feelings, it can be hard to know when to seek support.
Signs and symptoms of anxiety can include:
feeling very worried or anxious most of the time
finding it difficult to calm down
unable to control your anxious thoughts or worries
feeling tired easily
difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
muscle tension
sleep disturbances.
Anxiety Programs to Consider
A variety of programs here are a valuable resource in developing skills to manage anxiety.