We all experience anxiety at some point, and we all know how nervous something like a big presentation can make us feel. But once it's over, those nerves disappear as part of the body’s natural response to a situation.

Imagine living with that heightened anxiety every day. This is exactly what it's like for someone with an anxiety disorder. Described as a constant feeling of worry or fear that lasts for a long time, it comes as no surprise that anxiety can affect you both physically and mentally.

According to time-to-change.org.uk, in any given week around 6 in every 100 of us will suffer from a General Anxiety Disorder. So it's time we understood what anxiety is and how we can help those who are suffering from what some have called a silent illness. 

Anxiety will be different for different people and the symptoms depend on the type of anxiety that you may be experiencing, you may:

• Lack energy and feel weak
• Feel dizzy
• Feel frozen to the spot
• Breathe faster than normal
• Feel ‘tense’
• Find it hard to concentrate
• Sweat more than usual
• Lose your appetite
• Feel your heart is beating faster than usual
• Get a churning feeling in your stomach
• Feel like you can’t cope
• Feel a lack of control

Once you recognise the signs of anxiety, it's important to try and manage it. The following top tips will help:

1. Be active – Go for a run to give yourself headspace or try something like Pilates, yoga or tai chi class to help you be active and relax.
2. Take time out – Struggling to see the mist through the trees? Take time out to distract yourself from whatever is concerning you or making you feel anxious. From getting some fresh air to reading a book, find an activity that relaxes you.
3. Talk about it – Talk to friends and family about what is making you feel worried or anxious. If you can’t talk to a friend or family member, call a helpline such as the Samaritans on 116 123.
4. Practice breathing techniques – Breathe slowly and deeply to help breathe the fear away. Stay calm and try not to panic.
5. Plan or manage your time – Plan your journey, where you’re going, your route there and allow for extra time so you’re not rushing.
6. Reward yourself – When you’ve faced what it is that is making you feel anxious, treat yourself. This could be something as simple as having a bath or setting aside time to read a book or watch a film/ boxset.

Should these symptoms worsen, book an appointment with your GP.

There are many other types of anxiety which we have detailed below.