Anxiety
When Worries Take Over: Understanding Anxiety
Everyone feels worried or scared sometimes – it is a normal part of life. But for some people, these feelings can become so big and strong that they start to cause problems. When this happens, it is called anxiety.
Anxiety can feel different for everyone, but some common signs are:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Having a sense of danger, panic, or doom
- Breathing really fast or feeling like you cannot catch your breath
- Having a fast heartbeat
- Sweating a lot
- Shaking or trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Having trouble focusing on anything other than your worries
When you’re feeling anxious, you might also have thoughts like:
- “I’m losing control”
- “I’m going crazy”
- “I might die”
- “I’m having a heart attack”
- “Everyone is staring at me”
- “I need to escape”
These thoughts and feelings can be scary, but it is important to remember that they are not dangerous – they are just a sign that your anxiety has gotten too big.
Our bodies are designed to feel anxious sometimes – it is like a built-in alarm system that helps keep us safe from danger. But when that alarm system gets too sensitive and goes off all the time, even when there’s no real danger, that’s when anxiety can start to cause problems.
If your worries are so big that they are stopping you from enjoying life or doing the things you want to do, it is important to talk to someone who can help. There are special types of therapy that can teach you how to understand and control your anxiety, so it does not control you.
Remember, everyone feels anxious sometimes – it is not your fault, and you’re not alone. With a little help, you can learn to manage your worries and feel more in control of your life.