Anxiety and anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a natural feeling experienced by nearly everyone at some time in their lives. Different situations at home, at leisure and at work can trigger feelings of nervousness and apprehension, but the feeling usually passes quickly.

But for some people, the anxiety is so intense and persistent that it affects their everyday life, stopping them from doing things that they once did without concern or hesitation, even preventing them from functioning effectively at work.

It is important to distinguish between normal feelings of nervousness - about something like a job interview or meeting your future mother-in-law - and anxiety that prevents one from leading a normal life. When one has ‘natural’ nervousness, life isn’t affected in a bad way. In fact, a little adrenalin can have a positive effect.

Because anxiety disorders are so common, everyone will know someone in their family, at work, or in their circle of friends, who has or will develop an anxiety disorder. It is therefore something that affects or impacts all of us.