Anxiety, or extreme apprehension and worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. In some cases, it becomes excessive and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations. The fear and expectation of a negative outcome in an unknown situation typify anxiety. This is often accompanied by physical symptoms.
Typical symptoms of anxiety, stress and burnout
- Excessive worry about health, money, family, work, or school performance — even when there are no signs of trouble
- Irrational expectations of the worst outcome in many situations
- Inability to relax
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trembling or twitching
- Frequent urination
- PTSD – an anxiety disorder that may cause the sufferer to re-experience the ordeal that set the disease in motion
- OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – People affected by OCD become trapped in a pattern of repetitive, senseless thoughts and behaviours that are very difficult to overcome