The word ‘anxiety’ tends to be used to describe worry, or when fear is nagging and persists over time. How can we manage and reduce stress? Our free downloadable pocket guide offers you 101 tips: What makes you anxious?īecause anxiety is a type of fear, the things we’ve described about fear above are also true for anxiety. Just knowing what makes you afraid and why can be the first step to sorting out problems with fear. What you’re afraid of and how you act when you’re afraid of something can vary per person. Fearing failure can make you try to do well so that you won’t fail, but it can also stop you doing well if the feeling is too strong. Being afraid of some things – like fires – can keep you safe. You can learn to feel less fearful and to cope with fear so that it doesn’t stop you from living.

It can be hard to break this cycle, but there are lots of ways to do it. Some people become overwhelmed by fear and want to avoid situations that might make them frightened or anxious. This can hold you back from doing things you want or need to do, and it also affects your health. In some cases they can take over your life, affecting your ability to eat, sleep, concentrate, travel, enjoy life, or even leave the house or go to work or school. įear and anxiety can last for a short time and then pass, but they can also last much longer and you can get stuck with them. Īnxiety is a word we use for some types of fear that are usually to do with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, rather than right now.

It’s a natural response to a threat that can be either perceived or real. It can also take effect when you’re faced with non-dangerous events, like exams, public speaking, a new job, a date, or even a party. It has a very strong effect on your mind and body.įear can create strong signals of response when we’re in emergencies – for instance, if we are caught in a fire or are being attacked. Order this publication See our other 'How to.' guidesįear is one of the most powerful emotions.

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