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Anxiety

What is it?

Anxiety is a normal and helpful feeling that we all experience. It is our body’s way of keeping us safe.  A little bit of anxiety can also be helpful for us at times.

For example:

  • If we are completing an exam.
  • To run faster in a race.

Whilst we all feel anxious for short periods of time or in certain situations for some people anxiety can begin to take over and impact other parts of their lives.

Anxiety can become an issue when it:

  • is persistent — you may feel anxious a lot and always seem to be worrying
  • is severe — you may experience significant and distressing anxiety symptoms
  • interferes with your everyday life – you may avoid going to places or doing things that make you feel anxious.

(Adapted from LIAM)

Symptoms of anxiety in your mind

Symptoms of anxiety on your body

Feeling tense, nervous or unable to relax

A churning feeling in your stomach or feeling sick

Having a sense of dread

Feeling light-headed or dizzy

Feeling like other people can see you’re anxious and are looking at you

Fidgeting or unable to sit still

Feeling like you can’t stop worrying, or that bad things will happen if you stop worrying

Headaches, backache or other aches and pains

Wanting lots of reassurance from other people or worrying that people are angry or upset with you

Faster breathing or feeling like your heart is pounding

Worrying that you’re losing touch with reality

Sweating or hot flushes

Thinking a lot about bad experiences, or thinking over a situation again and again

Sleep problems or grinding your teeth, especially at night

Low mood

Needing the toilet more or less often

Thinking a lot about bad experiences, or thinking over a situation again and again

Feeling disconnected from your body

Derealisation – another type of dissociation where you feel disconnected from the world around you, or like the world isn’t real

Worrying a lot about things that might happen in the future.

(Adapted from Mind, 2023).

Resources & Support

Websites & Videos

Trigger warning: Some people may find the following videos distressing.

Anxiety Explained — SEL Sketches (YouTube)

The Body Scanner! Mindfulness for Children (YouTube)

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