We all know what anxiety is. That feeling that arises when we react to perceived threats.

Some people experience it daily and intensely. Others experience it occasionally.

It is actually a normal and healthy human emotion that can propel us into action when a person perceives danger even when danger is not really present. Anxiety becomes a problem when it gets out of control and become destructive, taking away our quality of life.

Anxiety is often an old emotional pain living inside of a person. It may have accumulated from past traumatic experiences and sticks around because these painful experiences were not fully faced and accepted the moment they arose. Symptoms may include.

-Physical: constriction of the chest, racing heart, panic attacks, restlessness, or feeling tense hot or cold flushes.

-Psychological: including constant fear, catastrophizing, or compulsive thinking.

-Behavioural: Including staying away from situations or places that can trigger anxious feelings. This often affects social life, relationships, employment and the general wellbeing.

What Causes anxiety?

There are different factors that play a role in this condition including, Biological, psychological, social and environmental including spiritual.
Anxiety can occur when a person is exposed to a continuous stressful situation or experience traumatic events;
Work and studies and unexpected family changes and relationships conflicts
Emotional, verbal, physical or sexual abuse
Pregnancy, illness
In some cases, anxiety may be comorbid with other mental health condition.
Use of alcohol or other drugs can increase anxiety feelings.
It is important to understand that everyone is an individual and the causes may be different. It is essential to recognise the symptoms and the causes and most of all to seek professional help to avoid developing a more serious mental illness.