What Is Anxiety and How You Can Help

There are types of anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. (GAD) Generalised Anxiety Disorder is the most common and is described as excessive worrying about everyday events and activities which the person finds difficult to control.

People with GAD find that they worry excessively (they worry more about a situation or scenario), difficult to control, (the worry begins about a specific event but then extends to all similar or related events).

What are the signs of GAD?

• Easily tired

• Difficulty concentrating 

• Over-planning 

• Excessive list making 

• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or having unsatisfying sleep

Symptoms of anxiety:

• Shortness of breath 

• Nausea 

• Cold sweat 

• Things look unreal

• Selective attention 

• Shaking or trembling

How you can help loved ones with anxiety:

What not to say:

• “It’s not worth worrying about. Why stress about it?”

• “Everyone has anxiety. You just have to deal”

• “Have you tried yoga or meditation”

• “Anxiety disorder? You just sound stressed to me”

What to say that can help:

• “Is there anything I can do to help?”

• “That sounds so tough, I am proud of you for hanging in there!”

• “I am here to listen. Let me know what you need.”

• “I am glad you’re getting the support you deserve!”

Coping with Symptoms do anxiety:

• Is your worry reasonable?

  • Is what you fear at the moment likely to happen? 

  • How are you sure? 

• Is there a Problem to be Solved?

  • Write down exactly what you believe the main problem to be 

  • Write down all the possible solutions, even the bad ones 

  • Think about each solution in practical ter,s

  • Choose the most practical solution 

  • Plan how you will carry the solution out 

  • Do it.