Changes

It is easy to mistake symptoms of anxiety for physical illness and become worried that you might be suffering a [[heart attack]] or [[stroke]]. This of course increases anxiety. We all become anxious from time to time. It becomes a problem when it interferes with life in the absence of real threat, or goes on too long after the danger has past. Avoiding situations that make you anxious might help you feel better in the short term. The trouble is the anxiety keeps returning, and has a habit of spreading to other situations. This can lead to you avoiding things like shops, crowded places, lectures or tutorials. So although avoidance makes you feel better, that relief is only temporary and you may worry about what will happen next time. Every time you avoid something it is harder next time you try to face it. Gradually you will want to avoid more and more things.{{fact}}

It is easy to mistake symptoms of anxiety for physical illness and become worried that you might be suffering a [[heart attack]] or [[stroke]]. This of course increases anxiety. We all become anxious from time to time. It becomes a problem when it interferes with life in the absence of real threat, or goes on too long after the danger has past. Avoiding situations that make you anxious might help you feel better in the short term. The trouble is the anxiety keeps returning, and has a habit of spreading to other situations. This can lead to you avoiding things like shops, crowded places, lectures or tutorials. So although avoidance makes you feel better, that relief is only temporary and you may worry about what will happen next time. Every time you avoid something it is harder next time you try to face it. Gradually you will want to avoid more and more things.{{fact}}

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]