What is anxiety?

Anxiety is the combination of fear and the manifestation of fear in the body. There are different types of anxiety: social anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, phobias, generalized anxiety. Anxiety can have a lot of consequences in our lives. It can impair our social skills and our relationships, effect our work-related tasks, increase our negative view of ourselves, create ups and downs in our mood, and inhibit our learning. Unfortunately, anxiety will tend to linger or multiple if we approach it in certain ways.

There are many factors that can cause anxiety: Genetic/hereditary risks, brain structure, neurobiology, consequence of other mental health conditions, outcome of stress, outcome of trauma.

We all experience anxiety differently but common experiences include:

• Confusion
• Distractedness
• Trouble thinking
• Anticipating rejection
• Irritability or aggression
• Overwhelmed
• Intense panic

Many people are very aware of the physical symptoms of anxiety due to the severe discomfort. Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• Heart racing
• Sweatiness
• Tension
• Nausea
• Breathing difficulties

Our friendships and intimate relationships can be significantly effected by anxiety. Some common relational symptoms of anxiety include:

• Acute fear of rejection
• Seek frequent reassurance
• Worry about overburdening others

“Anxiety is the combination of fear and the manifestation of fear in the body.”