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What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the body's natural ?flight or fight' response, given to protect you in the presence of anything that threatens your security. Sometimes the threat is short, intense and sudden leaving your heart pounding. At other times, such as an impending financial crisis, stressful work project or upcoming exam, it is prolonged. Anxiety and worry help to motivate you to take appropriate action. Some of the hormones that rise during periods of anxiety increase productivity. The body comes equipped with built in controls that regulate these hormones.
What happens when you become intensely anxious or remain anxious for long periods of time?
Anxiety that is too intense or has gone on for too long can paralyze your ability to act, lead to depression, insomnia, hypertension and poor quality of life. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder encountered in medical practice. It is estimated that at least 25% of the population will suffer at least one episode in their lifetime.