文档介绍：Anxiety
‘A job interview usually makes me feel so on edge that I do not
sleep the night before. But probably if I didn’t feel the adrenalin
pumping through me or if I didn’t feel nervous, I wouldn’t do
so well.’
‘I stopped giving dinner parties because I just couldn’t bear the
anxiety about getting everything ready in time. It sometimes
got so bad that I’d start worrying days before the event.’
‘I can never look forward to a holiday in the sun as it involves
flying. It just doesn’t suit me. I get clammy hands, my heart
races, I feel claustrophobic, and sometimes I just panic and want
to escape.’
This booklet looks into the causes of anxiety, its effects and what to do to reduce
it to a manageable level, as well as how to reassure and support friends and
w relatives who suffer from anxiety.
hat is anxiety?
Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. Most people can
relate to feeling tense, uncertain and perhaps fearful at the thought of sitting an
exam, going into hospital, attending an interview or starting a new job. You may
worry about feeling fortable, appearing foolish or how essful you will
be. In turn, these worries can affect your sleep, appetite and ability to concentrate.
If everything goes well, the anxiety will go away.
Short-term anxiety can be useful. Feeling nervous before an exam can make
you feel more alert and enhance your performance. However, if the feelings of
anxiety overwhelm you, your ability to concentrate and do well may suffer.
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Anxiety and fear are actually important for survival because they act as a
mechanism to protect the body against stress or danger.
Anxiety and fear trigger the release of hormones such as adrenalin. Adrenalin
causes your heart to beat faster in order to carry blood to where it is most needed.
You breathe faster to provide extra oxygen, which is needed for energy. You
sweat to prevent overheating. Your mouth may feel dry as your digestive