Anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness that does not go away.
Everyone feels stressed or under pressure from time to time. This is a normal reaction in certain situations. But anxiety is much more than that. Feelings of stress or pressure usually leave once a situation improves or changes, whereas anxiety is a constant. And anxiety can be present for no particular reason.
This condition can become very serious, preventing people from fully participating in everyday life and it can have an impact on school, relationships, work and family life. While we can all feel stressed occasionally, anxiety cannot easily be controlled.
Click here to read more information about understanding anxiety or visit Youth Beyond Blue.
Like most mental health conditions, a combination of factors can lead to anxiety. Such as:
Click here to read more in depth about the causes and warning signs of anxiety.
If you think that you might be experiencing anxiety, it’s important to seek help. And there are heaps of places you can find help – often for free.
Depending on how severe your anxiety is, you may be able to control your symptoms by making changes in your everyday life, such as building regular exercise into your daily routine or seeking out self-help strategies like mindfulness meditation.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by your anxiety, you should consider talking to a professional. They will be able to develop strategies to help you deal with your condition. Talk to a trusted teacher about contacting your school counsellor, or you could see a professional outside of school. Beyond Blue has great information on different approaches to help you deal with anxiety, as well as places to get help.
Talk to your school counsellor about how you’re feeling. If you don’t know who the counsellor is at your school, ask a teacher about getting help. They will be able to refer you to the right staff member.
Talk to your local doctor about your anxiety. They will be able to refer you to a specialist doctor in this field. Read for more advice.
Contact a mental health organisation like Beyond Blue, Kids Help Line or Headspace. Each of these organisations have support phone-lines and chat rooms with trained professionals waiting to help. And it’s free.
Be open about how you’re feeling. If you feel comfortable enough, tell a good friend about how you’re feeling. They might be able to help. You could also download the free app, to help you meditate and reach a state of calm.
