What anxiety can look and feel like

What is anxiety?

* Anxiety is a perception of threat - feeling under pressure, feeling unsafe, feeling aroused

* Most people feel anxious and worried from time to time, especially faced with a stressful situation (eg exam, job interview)

* Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is when a person feels anxious and worried most of the time, interfering with their normal lives

* For people with GAD, minor issues lead to uncontrollable worries and a feeling that something terrible will happen

What are the physical signs and symptoms of anxiety?

* Racing heart

* Tightening of the chest

* Rapid breathing

* Muscle tension

* Butterflies in stomach

* Headache

* High startle reflex

* Fatigue

* Digestive problems

* Disturbed sleep

What can anxiety look like in the workplace?

* Avoidance of tasks or situations

* Difficulty focusing, constantly move from one task to the other

* Procrastination

Lifestyle Measures to Manage Anxiety:

* Physical exercise

* Healthy diet

* Enough sleep

* Time out for relaxation

* Seek social support

(Source: Beyond Blue, clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Sarah Edelman)

Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.