Anxiety

It’s okay to feel anxious, and you're not alone. This page will help you understand anxiety, recognise its signs, and offer simple steps to manage it. From calming techniques to finding support, we'll guide you through ways to take control and get help when you need it. Anxiety doesn’t define you—help is always available.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is something that everyone feels. It is a natural human response that we all have that helps us to make decisions that keep us safe and help us survive. It’s important to remember that it’s normal to have a bit of anxiety every now and then. But some people have stronger levels of anxiety than others, and some people get very anxious over particular things.


Some people can have general anxiety (sometimes known as Generalised Anxiety Disorder, or GAD). People with GAD may feel anxious or worry most of the time, or feel a constant sense of dread. These people may have no particular “triggers” for their anxiety.


Other people may have more specific anxieties, such as phobias (for example, a fear of spiders), where there are very clear triggers that cause the feelings of anxiety. Anxiety shows itself in many different ways. Some people just feel uneasy, some people will shake, and others may have panic attacks.


Reach out and speak to people when you are feeling anxious, whether it is friends, family or our friendly mentors. There are different steps that you can take to help you cope with anxiety in both the short- and long-term, but speaking with someone is a very positive first step.

Anxiety feels like a storm in my head that won’t stop, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help. Even on the hardest days, knowing there are ways to calm down and people who understand makes it a little easier.

How can I tell if I have anxiety?

Everyone has anxiety from time to time; it is a natural human response. However, feelings of anxiety should pass after the trigger goes away.

Some people experience anxiety in a more extreme way. There are physical and psychological signs that may appear if you are experiencing more extreme anxiety. 

Psychological Symptoms:

  • Feeling a sense of dread, extreme tiredness and irritability
  • Find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
  • Start to avoid situations that you are worried about
  • Repeatedly check things or try to get assurance from others

Physical Symptoms:

  • Feeling dizzy, shaky, and getting extremely sweaty
  • Getting a headache and a stomach ache
  • Having a dry mouth and pins and needles

How Does Anxiety Affect Me?


Anxiety affects everybody differently, and it’s really important for you to take the time to really try and understand how it is affecting you.

Some people can have very mild anxiety, and some people can have more serious effects. Some of the most common effects of anxiety include:


  • Stopping doing activities that you love because you become worried about them
  • Stopping hanging out with friends because you get worried
  • Having regular panic attacks.

It’s really important that you talk to someone when you feel like this, to help break the cycle. 

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Get support, speak to us

Reaching out for help was scary at first, but it changed everything. Talking to someone who understood made me realise I wasn’t alone, and now I have ways to manage my anxiety when it feels like too much.

I think I might need some help... what do I do?

Being in an unsafe or unhealthy relationship will often leave people feeling helpless and isolated. You might think nobody could understand your experience and that you can’t ask anyone for help, but that isn’t true.


Find someone you can talk to so you can get the help you need. Never be afraid of getting help in these situations.

GET SUPPORT

SPEAK TO US

SPEAK TO SOMEBODY THAT YOU TRUST

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What can I do to help myself?


If you are feeling low, there are many ways to get help. One way is to reach out and speak to someone who can help you. But for that to work, you need to be willing and able to help yourself as well.


We have put together some examples of things that you can do to help yourself when you are feeling low.

Our Top Tips!

  • Don’t suffer in silence

    It’s really important that, if you are feeling low, you talk to somebody. Keeping your feelings a secret may only make you feel worse. 

  • Try to understand what is causing these feelings

    Keep a diary of when you feel anxious to help you begin to understand the causes of your anxiety. 

  • Face your fears

    The best way to overcome your anxieties is to face them. Take the opportunity to prove to yourself that you can overcome these feelings. This may be very difficult to do on your own, but there will be people who can help you.

  • Change the focus

    Come up with some distraction techniques that suit you, like mindfulness, so that when you are feeling anxious you can try to change your focus and distract yourself from the anxiety.