What is anxiety?

Clinical Psychologist

Veronica Luna Santamaría.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal and healthy reaction that is activated in the face of a threat or danger. Anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder when this reaction is activated in usually non-threatening/dangerous situations or in a persistent way, to the point that it significantly interferes with daily life.

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY

• Feeling of nervousness, agitation or tension.

• Feeling of imminent danger, panic or catastrophe.

• Increased heart rate.

• Accelerated breathing (hyperventilation)

• Sweating.

• Tremors.

• Feeling of weakness or tiredness.

Who can have anxiety?

Anyone can have an anxiety disorder, but some risk factors increase the likelihood of having it. These include a family history of anxiety disorders or mental illness, experience of traumatic or stressful events and suffering from underlying medical conditions.