How to Recognize Anxiety Symptoms, and When to Get Help
Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of life. In fact, some of our anxiety is beneficial. Anxiety is a natural response to stress, and pressure and alarms our bodies when we feel threatened so that we can act accordingly. For example, we can feel anxious when waiting on exam results, before an interview or when we are stuck in traffic. Anxiety before an exam result or an interview is beneficial. This encourages us to work harder and stay focused or motivated. However, when anxiety becomes too intense and affects our daily life, that is when anxiety becomes dysfunctional, meaning it is disrupting your regular behaviour.
Current statistics show that around 28% of U.S adults reported symptoms of anxiety (1). Further statistics show that most people choose to discuss their symptoms of anxiety with friends and family, rather than talking with a therapist (1). However, research suggests that talk therapy with a psychologist or counsellor is more effective as it teaches you how to work through anxiety, rather than brushing it to the side, and how to develop strategies that will allow you to work through anxiety independently, without often relying on others (2).
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
The following are a few methods to boost your happiness and reduce anxiety:
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