ANXIETY

Anxiety is a normal part of human life.

You may have felt anxiety before taking a test, meeting new people or starting junior high.

In the short term, anxiety increases your breathing rate and heart rate, concentrating the blood flow to your brain, where you need it. This very physical response is preparing you to face an intense situation.
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If it gets too intense, however, you might start to feel lightheaded and nauseous.

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What does ANXIETY feel like?​

Common physical symptoms include:

• stomach ache
• muscle tension
• headache
• rapid breathing
• fast heartbeat
• sweating
• shaking
• dizziness
• frequent urination
• diarrhea
• fatigue

In addition to physical symptoms, stress and anxiety can cause mental or emotional ones, including:

• feelings of impending doom
• panic or nervousness, especially in social settings
• difficulty concentrating
• irrational anger
• restlessness

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EVERYDAY ANXIETY or ANXIETY DISORDER?

Graphic for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose.

STRESS 
is a response to a threat in a situation.

ANXIETY
​is a reaction to the stress.

Most people experience stress and anxiety from time to time. Stress can be triggered by an event that makes you feel frustrated or nervous. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. 

However, if stress and anxiety begin interfering with your daily life, it may indicate a more serious issue. If you are avoiding situations due to irrational fears, constantly worrying, or anxious about a traumatic event weeks after it happened, it may be time to seek help.