Anxiety “Some people think that anxiety will always come on suddenly but actually it can be happening gradually and quietly inside the child.” Ines, 11 years old Everybody experiences anxiety at some point in time. Anxiety is a natural response, useful for helping us to avoid dangerous situations and motivating us to solve everyday issues. Anxiety can vary in severity from mild uneasiness through to a terrifying panic attack. It can vary in how long it lasts, from a few moments to many years. Despite the fact we can all experience anxiety at times, some people live with anxiety disorders. If a young person is showing signs of an anxiety disorder, their anxiety will: – Be more severe – Be long-lasting – Interfere with the young person’s education or relationships Associated crises Suicide thoughts or behaviour , self-harm , panic attacks , traumatic events Signs Anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways: physical, psychological, and behavioural. Physical effects can be cardiovascular (palpitations, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and flushing), respiratory (hyperventilation and shortness of breath) (186) neurological (dizziness, headache, sweating, tingling and numbness), gastrointestinal (choking, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea), musculoskeletal (muscle
Page 222
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker