What is anxiety? It is the most common condition I work with as a counsellor. This is unsurprising as an average of 37.1% of women and 29.9% of men are affected by high levels of anxiety1 whilst referrals in the NHS of young people are now twice the levels of pre-2020 levels.
So, I have decided to put together a series of posts which to provide information about anxiety, its impact, different types of anxiety disorders and practical strategies for coping and treatment. In this first post, I will explain what it is, how everyday anxiety differs to anxiety disorders, introduce the different types of disorders and outline how anxiety manifests in the body.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is often described as a storm of emotions—fast, relentless, and uncontrollable. It is a universal human experience and the body’s natural emotional and physiological response to perceived danger or stress.
When our ancestors encountered a predator; anxiety would trigger the fight-or-flight response, pumping adrenaline through their bodies and sharpening their senses to either confront the danger or escape it. This innate survival mechanism, whilst helpful in moments of actual danger, can become a source of immense distress when activated too frequently or inappropriately.
Modern-day anxiety is often not about immediate physical threats but psychological ones. It is triggered by factors such as work pressure, social expectations, financial concerns, health issues, or traumatic experiences. In these cases, the fight-or-flight response can be overactive, leading to a state of heightened worry and fear, even when there’s no immediate threat.
Anxiety is not confined to a single situation or moment. It can grow to an overwhelming scale, becoming an all-consuming presence that casts a shadow over daily experiences, thoughts, and actions. Anxiety can transform seemingly simple tasks—like making a phone call or attending a social event—into daunting challenges. It creates a relentless anticipation of something going wrong, even when there’s no logical reason for it.
The origins of the word comes from Latin term ‘anxietas’, which means ‘distress’ or ‘uneasiness of mind.’ In turn, ‘anxietas’, is derived from the verb ‘angere’, meaning ‘to choke’ or ‘to cause pain.’ The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion which creates worried thoughts, feelings of tension and physical effects e.g. changes in blood pressure3 but I think the Latin descriptors of distress and choking remain useful in understanding anxiety’s pervasive and debilitating nature.
Everyday symptoms vs anxiety disorders
It’s important to differentiate between everyday anxiety and specific disorders. Anxiety is something everyone feels from time to time. It’s the nervousness before a big presentation, the butterflies before a first date, or the tight chest during a tense conversation. These kind of symptoms are typically temporary and subsides once the stressful event is over.
But when anxiety becomes intense, excessive and disproportionate to the situation, it may indicate a defined disorder. People with anxiety disorders often experience intense and prolonged periods of worry and fear, which can interfere with daily life. This is persistent and can occur even without an obvious trigger. This type of anxiety doesn’t just disappear after a stressful event; instead, it lingers, escalates, or spreads to other areas of life, making even routine activities feel overwhelming.
Types of anxiety disorder
There are several types of disorders, each with its own unique set of characteristics. Below are some of the most common and often people suffer from more than one:
– Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Characterised by chronic, excessive worry about a variety of topics, such as health, work, and daily responsibilities. People with GAD find it difficult to control their worries and often feel restless, tense and exhausted.
– Social Anxiety Disorder – Typified by an intense fear of social situations, particularly those that involve scrutiny or judgement. It goes beyond shyness, leading to avoidance of social interactions, fear of embarrassment, and difficulty forming relationships.
– Panic Disorder – Marked by sudden and unexpected panic attacks, which are intense periods of fear accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The fear of experiencing another panic attack can cause people to avoid certain places or situations.
– Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Defined by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. For example, someone may feel compelled to wash their hands repeatedly to neutralise fear of contamination.
– Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Develops after exposure to a traumatic event and involves symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. It can significantly disrupt a person’s ability to function.
– Specific Phobias – Involves an irrational and excessive fear of a particular object or situation, such as heights, flying, or certain animals. Even thinking about the phobia can trigger intense anxiety and avoidance behaviour.
The mental, emotional & physical impact
Anxiety affects the entire body and has far-reaching impacts on mental, emotional and physical health.
– Mental impact – Causes racing thoughts, indecision, and a pervasive sense of dread. It can impair memory, focus, and concentration, making it difficult to perform tasks or make decisions. Sufferers might feel stuck in a cycle of overthinking, constantly ruminating on negative outcomes or past mistakes.
– Emotional impact – The emotional toll can be overwhelming. It often coexists with other mood disorders like depression, leading to feelings of hopelessness, irritability, or frustration. Individuals may also experience a constant sense of unease, as if something bad is always about to happen. This ongoing tension can lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion.
– Physical impact – Activation of the body’s stress response, which releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While these are helpful in short bursts, chronic anxiety can lead to persistent physical symptoms. These might include headaches, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, stomach aches, dizziness, and fatigue. Over time, it can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, and contribute to digestive disorders.
Breaking the stigma
Despite its prevalence, anxiety is often misunderstood or stigmatised. People struggling with it are often told to “just relax” or “think positively,” but it is not that straightforward. But it is not simply a choice or a fleeting emotion; it’s a complex condition that deserves compassion, understanding, and appropriate treatment.
Conclusion – towards greater understanding & support
Understanding anxiety is the first step toward managing it. Whether it’s the occasional worry or a full-blown disorder, acknowledging anxiety’s impact on physical, mental, and emotional well-being is essential. With the right tools—such as self-care practices, counselling and support—people can learn to manage their anxiety and live fuller calmer lives. In the following posts in this series, I will share more about the science behind it, the different types disorders, their unique symptoms and practical strategies for coping and treatment.
If you are curious about what happens to the brain during anxiety you can find out in the next part of the Anxiety Series. Read Part 2: The Science Behind Anxiety.
1 Office of National Statistics (2023). Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: personal well-being and loneliness. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/datasets/publicopinionsandsocialtrendsgreatbritainpersonalwellbeingandloneliness [Accessed 15/10/2024]
2 Office of National Statistics (2023). Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: personal well-being and loneliness. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/27/nhs-referrals-for-anxiety-in-children-more-than-double-pre-covid-levels-england [Accessed 15/10/2024]
3 American Psychological Association (2024). Anxiety. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety [Accessed 15/10/2024]
