Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear.
Although everybody faces anxiety at some point in their life i.e. you may be worried for an interview or exam, some people find it harder to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can affect their daily life.
Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions:
- Panic disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious most days about a wide range of issues. Rather than being anxious about a specific event, people with GAD often find it difficult to relax about a lot situations.
GAD can cause both psychological and physical symptoms. These vary from person to person, but can include:
- feeling restless or worried
- having trouble concentrating or sleeping
- dizziness or heart palpitations
It is estimated that 5% of the UK population are affected by GAD. Slightly more women are affected than men, and the condition is more common in people from the ages of 35 to 59.