Fear that bad things will happen
Anxiety
Everyone feels worried sometimes. But for someone with anxiety, these feelings can stick around and make life really hard.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried.
Anxiety is when feelings of fear or worry don’t go away. Anxiety is a problem when it gets in the way of:
- Everyday things like talking to people or going new places
- Being around friends or family
- Going to school
- Doing fun things
How do I know if what I’m feeling is anxiety?
Some things people with anxiety feel are:
Nervous or on-edge all the time
Panic or feeling ‘out of control’
Fearful of going places or doing things
Here's what happens in your brain when you feel anxious...
What are the physical symptoms?
Your body also tells you when it’s feeling anxious. You may have:
Trouble catching your breath
Pounding heart
Dizziness, headaches
Sweating
Trouble sleeping
Trouble concentrating
Feel tense or sore
Feel tired or very awake
What can I do to manage anxiety?
Different things work for different people. So it's important to figure out what's going to work for you and your situation.
Here’s some stuff you can try:
Learn and read about anxiety
Stay away from drugs and alcohol
Replace anxious thoughts with positive ones
Learn how to relax
Eat healthy and exercise
Find out what makes you anxious so you know when it’s likely to pop up
"I've often struggled to fall asleep at night..."
What else can I do?
Anxiety can be tough to deal with on your own. With some help and support you can get better!
Gather a support team around you. Here are some people who can help:
A parent or trusted adult
Kids Helpline counsellor
Doctor
Psychologist or Social Worker
Talking with someone can really help
You’re not alone, support is always available.
If you want to learn more about anxiety and how to deal with it, give us a call, start a WebChat or send us an email today.
If you need more information for other digital services and resources, check out Head to Health.
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This content was last reviewed 14/02/2018
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