Living with Anxiety report

This content mentions anxiety, which some people may find triggering.

Anxiety is a familiar emotion because it is part of everyone’s experience. Its natural function is to alert us to potential threats, allowing us to evaluate and respond to them in appropriate ways. This heightened state of readiness can also help people perform better and stimulate creative impulses. Anxiety is often regarded as an artefact of modern societies, one that is increasingly represented in visual arts, music, literature and social media.

For some people anxiety triggers inappropriate or disproportionate responses to perceived threats, leading to persistent and intrusive symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, such as panic, phobias and obsessive behaviours, which often have a debilitating effect on their lives.

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in the UK and elsewhere, yet it is still under-reported, under-diagnosed and under-treated. This report explores the intersection between popular perceptions of anxiety, the experience of anxiety in people’s everyday lives and the impact of anxiety disorders.

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A-Z Topic: Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear. We all feel anxious sometimes, but anxiety may be a mental health problem if your feelings are very strong or last a long time.

A-Z Topic: Panic attacks

A panic attack is a feeling of sudden and intense fear. It can come on quickly and for no apparent reason. Panic attacks can be very frightening, but they’re not dangerous.

Statistics: Anxiety

Anxiety is a type of fear usually associated with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, but can also arise from something happening right now.

Publication: How to overcome fear and anxiety

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions. It has a very strong effect on your mind and body. This guide provides you with tips on how to overcome fear and anxiety.

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