It is likely that most people may experience feelings of anxiety at some points in their life, for example, when sitting exams or attending job interviews. Feeling anxious during times like these is not uncommon. However, some people find it hard to control their worries and experience anxiety on a daily basis. This anxiety could be related to a number of conditions, but people who feel anxious about a range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event, could be suffering from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

What causes anxiety?

According to Mind, no one knows exactly what causes anxiety. Anxiety conditions are not developed or caused by a single issue, there are normally a number of factors that play a role. These  include personality, difficult life experiences and physical health. Anxiety conditions may develop when one or more stressful events occur in a person’s life. Examples of common triggers include workplace stress, pregnancy and giving birth and family and/or relationship problems.

Self-help to ease anxiety

People who are diagnosed with anxiety will find that there are many steps that they can take themselves to help ease the symptoms of anxiety. According to the NHS, GPs will normally recommend trying self-help treatments before resorting to more intensive therapy or  medication.

Self-help treatments include:-

• reading about anxiety
• trying an on-line course
• using a self-help programme available through an app
• taking regular exercise
• learning to relax
• avoiding caffeine
• avoiding smoking, drinking and drugs
• talking to somebody.

For further information on anxiety, including self-help, diagnosis and how we can help, see our Anxiety fact sheet.