This website page is intended for members of the UK general public. It provides some general information about anxiety

Anxiety

Anxiety is what someone feels when they are worried, tense, or afraid. It can be mild or severe. People experience anxiety as thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.

If you are struggling with anxiety, speak to a healthcare professional who will be able to provide any help and support you may need.

Read on to find out more about what anxiety is, the symptoms, and how it can be diagnosed, managed and treated.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to a potentially dangerous or challenging situation. It is a feeling of unease, worry, fear or dread about what is going to happen. It is entirely normal to feel anxious from time to time, and it can even be beneficial. Anxiety can help us prepare for specific situations, making sure we pay attention and stay alert to any dangers.

However, some people find it hard to control their anxiety. High levels of anxiety maintained over a long time that impact normal, day-to-day activities could mean someone has an anxiety disorder.

What are the main types of anxiety?

Anxiety disorders include conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main symptom of each of these conditions is anxiety.

How many people have anxiety?

Statistics show that anxiety disorders are prevalent across the globe. The World Health Organization estimates that 301 million people were affected by anxiety disorders in 2019, making anxiety disorders the most common of all mental disorders.

Women are more commonly affected by anxiety disorders than men. Around two-thirds of people diagnosed with general anxiety disorder are female.

Symptoms

Everyone experiences anxiety differently. The physical and mental effects can vary from one person to the next.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The body reacts to anxiety in a particular way, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones put someone experiencing anxiety into a high-alert state in which they look for potential threats and activate their fight-or-flight responses. As a result, some common symptoms of anxiety include:

Mental effects:

Feeling tense, nervous, and restless
Having a feeling of dread or panic, or a sense of being in danger
Feeling constantly ‘on edge’
Feeling out of control
Having difficulty focusing or thinking clearly
Feeling disconnected, or worrying about being out of touch with reality
Being irritable

Physical effects:

A fast, thumping, irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Rapid breathing
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or light-headedness
Dry mouth
Sweating or hot flushes
Churning feeling in the stomach, or nausea
Stomach ache
Trembling or shaking
Needing the toilet frequently
Inability to sit still
Headaches
Muscular aches and pains or tension in the muscles
Pins and needles
Problems sleeping (insomnia)

Causes and risk factors

Many different situations or experiences can bring on anxiety. Sometimes it can be challenging to know what is causing the anxiety, and this can result in further stress or upset.

What causes anxiety?

It is likely that several factors may play a role in the development of anxiety. These may include:

Difficult or traumatic events experienced in the past, such as:
- Physical or emotional abuse
- Being bullied or socially excluded
Having underlying long-term medical conditions, such as arthritis
Certain drugs, including psychiatric medications, some medicines used to treat certain physical health conditions, or a history of drug or alcohol misuse
Genetics – research suggests the genes you inherit from your parents could play a role

However, many people develop anxiety for no apparent reason.

Diagnosis

Anxiety is not a simple diagnosis; it can sometimes be difficult for doctors to diagnose whether a person has an anxiety disorder or another mental health condition, such as depression.

Treatment and medication

Treatment and medication for anxiety can relieve the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with.

Several therapies and medications can be helpful for anxiety. People with anxiety may benefit most from a combination of psychological therapy and medication to control their symptoms.

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Anxiety

IN THIS SECTION

What is anxiety?

What are the main types of anxiety?

How many people have anxiety?

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Causes and risk factors

What causes anxiety?

Diagnosis

Treatment and medication

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