Page 15 - MENTAL HEALTH: The Yorkshire Post Covid-19 2020 Help E-Mag

HOW TO RECOGNISE IT AND DEAL WITH IT
In the current unprecedented times, it is inevitable many people will be having feelings of anxiety.
For some, who have experienced it in the past, it may be at a heightened level, while others may be experiencing it for the first time in response to current events and to their own particular circumstances.
Anxiety – which, it must be stressed, is more than the day-to- day worries we all feel at times – has many symptoms, both physical and mental, and can affect how you behave. Consequently, it is not always easy to identify if you are suffering from it. According to the NHS, the following physical and mental changes can be symptoms of anxiety.
Physical symptoms
• Faster, irregular or heavier heartbeat
• Dizziness or feeling light-headed
• Loss of appetite
• Chest pains
• Headaches
Mental symptoms
• Worrying about things that have happened
• Worrying about the future
• Loss of sleep
• Feeling tense or nervous for
no evident reason
• Feeling tearful
• Inability to relax
Changes to your behaviour • Difficulty concentrating at
work or home
• Inability to enjoy leisure time • Difficulty in looking after
yourself
• Worrying about doing unfamiliar
things
• Struggling to make or maintain
relationships
If you experience sudden, very strong surge of anxiety or fear, it could be that you are experiencing a panic attack. Such attacks usually last between five minutes and half an hour. It can be a frightening experience but it is not dangerous and will not result in any harmful after-effects.
Symptoms of a panic attack
• Sweating, shaking or trembling
• Shortness of breath or very quick
breaths
• Nausea
• A feeling of not being in control
Responding anxiety or
panic attacks
First and foremost, don’t keep these feelings to yourself. Try and talk about them to a family member or trusted friend; if this doesn’t ease the symptoms – or if there is no-one in your family or social circle you feel you can turn to – then speak to a mental health professional or counsellor.
Alternatively, contact The Samaritans, who will always listen to you with understanding and in strict confidence:
call 116 123, visit www.samaritans.org or
email jo@samaritans.org
Beyond that, there are several practical ways which can help reduce, or prevent, anxiety. These are covered in a separate article.
ANXIETY