Most of us experience periods of anxiety and stress. This is perfectly normal. Some stress can even be good for us – but sometimes stress and anxiety can become too much to handle. That's when it makes sense to find someone who can help.
When we face a difficult, painful or risky task, most of us experience stress or anxiety – and accept this as normal. Part of our mind that's there to protect us identifies this as a threat and prepares our bodies for action. Very natural; and very useful.
Unfortunately, it isn't foolproof; things can go wrong. The mind can ready the body when there's no need and sometimes this readiness can be out of all proportion to any actual threat. When that happens, your natural protection system is being very unhelpful and you may experience any or all of:
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Butterflies in the stomach
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Feeling constantly pressures or harrassed
- Depression