Occasional worry and anxiety are a normal part of life. Anxiety can even sometimes be helpful, giving you a boost of adrenaline to get you through that speech. You might feel a little nervous when faced with a problem at work, or before making an important decision.

But, if you have an anxiety disorder, the feeling of unease doesn’t simply go away. If your anxiety is persistent and interferes with your ability to function on the job or gets in the way of your relationships or responsibilities, you probably need professional help. If you feel stuck, or feel that you are having a hard time functioning because of anxiety, know that help is available.

Many of us struggle with feeling stuck, stressed, hopeless, or that there’s no way out of our situation. Fortunately, therapy has been proven to help individuals cope, heal, and thrive.

• Difficulty concentrating
• Mind going blank
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness
• Feeling out of control
• Heart palpitations or an accelerated heart rate

Symptoms vary from person to person and also depend on the type of anxiety disorder.

What differentiates anxiety disorders from normal worry or stress is that the symptoms are persistent, they interfere with your daily activity, and you can feel that they are significantly affecting your life.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the world. Globally, an estimated 284 million people experienced an anxiety disorder in 2017 so it isn’t unusual to feel that anxiety may be affecting you or one of your family members. The Coronavirus pandemic may lead to increased symptoms if you are already suffering from an anxiety disorder.

Victoria Joseph is a Psychologist based in Nairobi conducting online therapy sessions to English-speaking Africans. If you or a loved one need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out. Fill out the contact form to start your process today.