What is anxiety?
Most people experience anxiety when overwhelmed by various stressors in life. Often small amounts of anxiety can help motivate us to achieve or perform better, but when anxiety is at severe levels and lasts for a long time it can stop us achieving what we want to and make life less enjoyable.
How anxious we feel in the face of stressors can depend in part on our beliefs, our genes, and our past experiences. Some situations and life events will make any of us feel anxious. For example, leaving home, starting at university, starting a new job, dealing with the demands of study, financial problems, and relationship problems among others.
In addition, some people may feel particularly anxious or fearful in certain situations or about specific things. For example:
- Social situations
- Physical health
- Making decisions
- Being in an enclosed space such as a lecture theatre
- Being in a busy, crowded environment such as a supermarket
- When leaving the house or being out in the open
If your anxiety or worry is starting to interfere with your study or other aspects of life then it may be time to address it. Anxiety is common, especially amongst students, and it is treatable.
Treatment can include;
- Self-help: learning techniques like mindfulness, relaxation, distraction and education
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Lifestyle recommendations/changes
- Medication
To find out more about this, you can make an appointment with the Student Health, Mental Health and Well-Being Team by calling 0800 479 821.
For more information visit the websites below.