Anxiety is a common and natural response to stress, characterised by feelings of fear, apprehension, and unease. While it is a normal part of life, excessive and persistent anxiety can interfere with daily activities and quality of life. Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, each with its unique features and triggers.

Excessive Worry: Individuals experiencing excessive worry often find themselves consumed by persistent and irrational thoughts, frequently anticipating negative outcomes in various aspects of their daily lives, creating a pervasive sense of impending doom that hampers their overall well-being and functionality.

Restlessness: The feeling of restlessness manifests as an ongoing sense of unease, leaving individuals on edge and making it challenging for them to unwind or find a state of relaxation, thereby impacting their ability to engage in daily activities with a sense of calm and focus.

Fatigue: Those grappling with fatigue endure more than mere tiredness; it’s a persistent and overwhelming sense of weariness that pervades every aspect of their daily lives, draining them of energy and motivation and hindering their capacity to accomplish even routine tasks.

Difficulty Concentrating: The struggle to concentrate extends beyond occasional distractions; individuals facing difficulty concentrating often find their minds wandering, making decisions becomes an arduous task, and maintaining focus on even straightforward tasks becomes an elusive challenge, impeding their cognitive abilities.

Irritability: Heightened irritability is characterised by an increased sensitivity to stimuli, causing individuals to react with frustration or annoyance more easily than usual. This heightened emotional response can strain interpersonal relationships and further exacerbate feelings of distress.

Muscle Tension: Beyond a mere physical discomfort, muscle tension can manifest as aches, pains, and stiffness throughout the body. This physical manifestation often accompanies the psychological distress associated with anxiety, contributing to an overall sense of discomfort and unease.

Sleep Disturbances: Sleep disturbances go beyond mere difficulty falling asleep; individuals grappling with this aspect of anxiety may experience a persistent struggle to initiate or maintain restful sleep, leading to a cycle of exhaustion that further compounds their mental and physical challenges. This disrupted sleep pattern may involve restlessness, frequent awakenings, or an overall sense of unease during the night.

Anxiety can arise from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors, including:

Genetics: An individual’s susceptibility to anxiety can be influenced by a familial predisposition, where a history of anxiety or other mental health disorders within the family may heighten the risk of developing anxiety disorders.

Brain Chemistry: Anxiety can be linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. Disruptions in these chemical messengers can affect mood regulation and contribute to the manifestation of anxiety symptoms.

Personality Factors: Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or a predisposition towards pessimism, may create a fertile ground for anxiety to thrive. These characteristics can amplify stress responses and contribute to the development of anxiety disorders.

Trauma: The impact of past traumatic experiences, including but not limited to abuse or significant life events, can linger in the psyche and significantly elevate the risk of developing anxiety disorders later in life. The emotional scars from trauma may contribute to a heightened sensitivity to stressors.

Stress: Anxiety can be triggered or intensified by high levels of stress, stemming from various sources such as work, relationships, or societal pressures. Prolonged exposure to stressors can overwhelm coping mechanisms, paving the way for the onset or exacerbation of anxiety symptoms.