Menu

Anxiety

— Skylight Trust

When anxiety becomes overwhelming and prevents you from carrying on with your normal life, it can be classified as a mental illness.

Anxiety is normal, and for some people the reaction is more severe and out of proportion to what might normally be expected. These people suffer anxiety disorders. These disorders include panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalised anxiety disorder.

Symptoms can include sweating, trembling, palpitations, a feeling of being out of control, sleep problems, overwhelming panic and struggling to think rationally.

Having an anxiety disorder can impact on a person's ability to function. There is no single known cause for anxiety. It can occur at the time of transitions through different stages of life, or after traumatic life events. It is sometimes linked to depression or genetic factors.

Can anxiety disorders be treated?

Anxiety disorders are treatable. Generally, the earlier treatment can be applied, the better the outcome and quicker the response to treatment, but in some cases not all the symptoms will disappear. Sometimes medication is beneficial.

General anxiety can sometimes be treated simply by identifying how the person is becoming stressed and showing them how to deal with stress using relaxation techniques and mindfulness. However, more severe anxiety may need more formal treatment.

For further information see attachments and links.

Resources Available at Skylight

Skylight is here to help you through difficult times. We can assist you in a variety of ways with information appropriate for your situation. You are welcome to visit us and receive free information and a support pack from our resource centre and borrow books from the specialist library. We also facilitate Professional Development training and offer Counselling support services for children, young people, family/whānau and individuals who are experiencing tough times.

Request a Pack Library

Online Shop

Our online shop features Skylight's own publications and other specialist titles from New Zealand and around the world. Search titles, keywords or category headings by clicking the shop button.

Shop