Understanding anxiety

Most of us feel anxious at some point in our lives. But sometimes anxiety can affect us so much that it becomes a mental health problem.

We're here to help you understand what you're going through. 

My heart pounds like a fast drum, my hands get cold, and sometimes my whole body trembles.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is what we feel when we're worried about something that might happen. Either right now or in the future. This worry is usually about something bad or upsetting.

Anxiety is a normal human reaction when our lives are stressful or scary.

Feeling anxious from time to time doesn't mean you have a mental health problem. You might usually feel able to handle everyday stresses and worries without a problem. But you might have times in your life when it becomes much harder. And for some of us, this can feel like a daily struggle.

The ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response

Like all animals, human beings have evolved ways to help us protect ourselves from danger. How our bodies react when we feel anxious is part of this. If your body thinks it's under threat, it releases hormones that:

• Make you feel more alert and stronger, so you can act fast
• Make your heart beat faster to send blood where it's most needed – like the lungs

This is part of what's called the ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response. It can be very helpful when we're in danger. But it can also be triggered when we feel very anxious. Even if nothing is happening to us right now.

When this happens, your body still releases the hormones – but it isn't using them. This can cause some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety. 

What are the signs of anxiety?

Anxiety can have physical symptoms such as feeling dizzy, restless or shaking. And having trouble sleeping. There are also symptoms you experience mentally, like being unable to relax. Or having a sense of dread.

See our page on the symptoms of anxiety for much more detail. It also explains how anxiety can relate to other health problems.

When is anxiety a mental health problem?

Anxiety can become a mental health problem if it impacts your ability to live your life as fully as you want to. For example, it may be a problem if you:

• Feel anxious a lot, or for months at a time
• Feel anxiety or worry that's out of proportion to the situation
• Avoid situations that might cause you to feel anxious
• Have anxiety that's very strong, distressing or hard to control
• Get panic attacks
• Find it hard to go about your everyday life or do things you enjoy

If your anxiety impacts you like this, you might get a diagnosis of a specific anxiety disorder. But it's also possible to struggle with anxiety without meeting any specific diagnosis.

Learn more about types of anxiety disorders.

What do anxiety problems feel like?

Watch Lewis, Polly, Faisal, Shelley and Brian talk about what living with anxiety problems feels like for them, and what helps them cope:

What causes anxiety problems?

Anxiety problems can be caused by things going on in your life right now. For example, if you're under a lot of pressure or feeling stressed.

They can also develop from things that happened in your past.

Certain medications can also cause anxiety as a side effect.

Our causes of anxiety page has more detail about the many possible causes.

How can I overcome anxiety?

There are lots of things you can do to help you to manage anxiety and panic attacks.

And treatments like talking therapy and medication can help.

To learn more, see our pages on:

• How to manage anxiety and worry
• Treatment for anxiety

We've also got information on how to help someone who has anxiety.