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At times, we all feel anxious or stressed,
but for some people anxiety becomes overwhelming and continues
for a long time, and can seriously affect their quality of
life.
Sometimes
anxiety can take the form of panic attacks. During
a panic attack, the heart starts pounding and the person can
feel shaky, sick or unable to breathe properly. Serious panic
attacks can make people avoid going out or going to work.
When people
have an over-intense fear of a situation or object, it's called
a phobia. People can be afraid of going outside, or
of being in a crowded place, or of particular animals or insects.
Another
anxiety disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This is when people try to control their feelings of anxiety
by performing certain actions over and over again, such as
washing their hands or checking they have locked the door.
It's
estimated that more than one in ten people are likely to have
a 'disabling anxiety disorder' at some stage in their life.
But the good news is that there are some very effective 'talking
treatments' for anxiety disorders, where therapists teach
people techniques to control their anxiety. Most of these
treatments take a practical, step by step approach to coming
to terms with the problem.
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Check
out our links page for websites
and organisations offering more help and info. |
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Information on www.mindout.net is provided
for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for
the advice a health care professional. The
mind out for mental health campaign
is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does
it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on those sites.
Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health.
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