ANXIETY

Anxiety

Everybody gets anxious at some point in their life.  Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, uneasiness, feeling faint, sweating, having jelly legs and feeling your heart racing.

When these symptoms get really bad it may lead to a panic attack.  Panic attacks can be extremely frightening; however, they are harmless and very treatable.
Anxiety can affect both your physical health and your mental behaviour (your behaviour, feelings and emotions).

The symptoms can depend on a number of factors.  They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time.

It may be worth talking to your doctor or a counsellor about ways to reduce anxiety.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a form of anxiety where a person feels they have to do things repeatedly to prevent bad things happening to themselves or others;  for example, washing your hands repeatedly, switching lights on and off repeatedly.

It is only when this behaviour gets in the way of your daily life that you may need to seek help.

Some common effects of anxiety and OCD include:

• Dry mouth – difficulty getting to sleep
• Feeling short of breath
• Muscle tension and headaches
• Repeated actions
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sweating and trembling
• Pounding heart
• Jelly legs

If you, or a friend have these symptoms, talk to a GP or your school counsellor. See below for more information: