
Many people suffer from anxiety for years before seeking help, but your GP can discuss a variety of treatment options with you if you’ve had these feelings for a month or more.Ī phobia is an irrational fear of a certain object or situation. If you experience feelings of anxiety that are severe or happen often, or if they affect your day-to-day life, you could talk to your GP. You might also experience anxiety after a stressful event, such as an accident.Īn anxiety disorder is different, because those anxious feelings are there even when there is no obvious cause. It is common to be anxious in a high pressure situation for example, before you make a speech or sit an exam.


You won’t need too much help fighting your fears here, because they don’t last long.Īnxiety is a more serious condition. Fear, anxiety or phobia?įeelings of fear, worry or stress can be upsetting, but they usually pass when the cause of your stress is gone. This fear is unhealthy because it stops you doing things you might otherwise enjoy. It may be intimidating, but meeting new people does not pose any real threat to your safety. For example, the fear of meeting new people. Sometimes, your fear makes you more cautious than you really need to be. The feeling of fear is natural and helps keep you safe.īut other fears are unhealthy and unnecessary. If you see a poisonous snake in your back yard, and your fear prompts you to run back into the house and close the door, that is a healthy fear. It gives you the survival instincts you need to keep yourself safe when you feel like you are in danger. The difference between healthy and unhealthy fearsįear is programmed into your nervous system, and it works, instinctively, from when you are a baby. Let’s start by exploring the differences between healthy and unhealthy fears. The good news is there are lots of ways to help manage your fears. Changes in your behaviour, ranging from simple things such as avoiding a fun activity, to more serious issues like being afraid to leave your home.

