Mental Health Matters:

Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Anxiety ranges from nervousness and  tension to fear and panic.

Some forms of anxiety can be useful. For example, nervousness before an exam can make us extra alert. However, other forms of anxiety can be harmful.  For example, some people experience serious panic attacks that are painful and difficult to control.

What causes anxiety?

• being physically threatened eg by a barking dog  or a  mugger
• doing important  or unfamiliar things eg changing jobs,  taking a driving test or exam, moving house, speaking  in public, having an operation
• dealing with relationships, talking to someone you  don't know
• everyday things eg going shopping or on a bus
• remembering  frightening past events in your life
• worrying about what could happen in the future to  yourself or the world

What does anxiety feel like ? How might you react ?

• tense muscles leading to headaches and pain in the neck, chest and back
• heart racing, rapid breathing  and palpitations
• shaking, dizziness or light headedness
• stomach churning, feeling sick , wanting to go to the toilet
• dry mouth, difficulty swallowing , feeling hot and sweaty
• unable to switch off or get to sleep , difficulties concentrating
• thoughts going round and round or voices telling you what to worry about
• fear of going mad or out of control
• long term anxiety can lead to health problems eg high blood pressure, ulcers and at the extreme even heart failure.  It can also cause depression  or phobias and affect your ability to work and enjoy life.

What can you do about anxiety?

Learn to relax.
There are techniques to adjust breathing, relax muscles and replace distressing thoughts with peaceful ones. You can learn them by joining a class or borrowing books or tapes from the library.

Learn other skills.
You can handle difficult situations eg by learning assertiveness training  or self defense. Try not to avoid  situations that make you anxious. Confronting anxiety is the most effective way of learning to overcome it. Each time you cope with an anxiety attack , the next time you will find you can cope even better.

Change your lifestyle.
Allow time for yourself. Don't expect too much of yourself or others. Develop co-operation with others. Take more physical exercise eg walking, swimming, cycling.

See your Doctor.
Ask about talking treatments. Counselling and therapy can help you come to terms with your present and past life and give you support to make changes. Your doctor may give you tranquillisers or sleeping pills. They may offer some relief but don't deal with the causes of your anxiety and may make you feel sluggish, unable to concentrate or even more anxious. You could become dependent on.

Consider alternative or complimentary medicine.
Acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism and massage help some people reduce anxiety. They are not usually available on the N.H.S. and have to be paid for.

How Mind in Manchester can help.

Contact the Information service on

0161 272 8205

The Information service provides information about mental health services and groups in Manchester over the telephone and in writing via letter, fax and email. The Information service is generally staffed during the daytime. An answer machine is available at all times and we will endeavour to return your call within 48 hours.

Write to us at:

Unit 25,
The Progress Centre,
Charlton Place,
Ardwick Green
Manchester
M12 6HS

Email us at:
info@mind-in-manchester.org.uk