Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
Hello and welcome to Health Matters. Dr Michelle Wright with your weekly look at all things medical.
We all know what fear feels like don’t we? It’s uncomfortable, but it’s completely normal – and essential to keep us safe.
When we sense danger, our body releases adrenaline and activates our “fight, flight or freeze” response. We don’t choose it. It just happens.
And importantly, the body remembers. Past fear shapes future reactions.
For me, dogs trigger that automatic response. I know most dogs probably won’t harm me, but my body reacts first, and my logic catches up later. My heart races, my muscles tighten, I’m already preparing to escape. A perfect example of how fear can sometimes override rational thinking.
When does normal fear become an anxiety disorder?
But that leads to an important question:
When does normal fear become an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety becomes an illness when it stops being a short-lived reaction and starts getting in the way of daily life.
- When the worry feels very strong or lasts much longer than it should.
- When the feelings become hard to control and you start avoiding things as a result.
- Or when physical symptoms – things like palpitations, shaking, a tight chest, stomach trouble – affect your work, your relationships, your sleep, or your enjoyment of life.
How common are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders are incredibly common. Around one in five people will experience one at some point. They’re actually the most common mental health condition we diagnose.
Women are affected more often than men, and many people live with symptoms for years before they get the right diagnosis, often because anxiety shows up as very physical: dizziness, chest pain, digestive issues, headaches. All the tests come back normal, and anxiety is only recognised much later.
What types of anxiety disorders are there?
There are several different types of anxiety disorders.
Some people live with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, where worry feels constant and uncontrollable. Others have panic disorder with panic attacks that seem to come out of nowhere, constantly living in fear of the next one.
Some have social anxiety. Others specific phobias – like flying, heights, insects… or, in my case, dogs.
There’s also obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety, and separation anxiety.
They’re all different on the surface, but underneath, they share the same thing: anxiety that has become overwhelming and intrusive.
And this is really important to say: anyone can develop an anxiety disorder. There are certain risk factors including past life experiences, stress, trauma, uncertainty, loneliness, and sometimes even physical illness or medication side effects.
Are anxiety disorders treatable?
The good news is that anxiety is very treatable, and early help makes a big difference.
Talking therapies, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, work extremely well. And medication can be helpful when symptoms are severe.
As well as this, lifestyle support – focussing on sleep, movement, balanced nutrition, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and relaxation techniques – can all help calm the nervous system.
But perhaps the most powerful thing is simply not dealing with it alone. Anxiety eases when we talk about it, when we reach out, and when the people around us understand what’s happening.
So, if you recognise yourself in any of this, please know that anxiety disorders are common, they’re real, and most importantly, they are treatable. Reaching out for help is an act of strength.
