Anxiety (Students)

Anxiety is our body's natural response to stress. However, when the feelings are extreme and persist for a long time, one may have anxiety disorder.

Specific Disorders

Panic Disorders

• Fear of losing control and/or dying

• Maladaptive change in behaviour to avoid having panic attacks

• Panic attacks Persistent concern or worry about future panic attacks and their consequences

Agoraphobia

• Intense fear or anxiety that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the agoraphobic situations

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Difficulties concentrating

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Muscle tension

• Restlessness or feeling on edge

• Sleep disturbance

Social Phobia/ Social Anxiety Disorders

• Blushing or stammering when trying to speak

• Feeling like your mind has gone blank

General Risk Factors

• Hereditary or genetic factors

• Gender (females are more prone to anxiety than males)

• Temperamental traits of shyness or behavioural inhibition in childhood

• Some physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias, or caffeine or other substances/medications, can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms; a physical health examination is helpful in the evaluation of a possible anxiety disorder

Student Risk Factors

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• Sleep disruption (pulling all-nighters, drinking excess caffeine)

• Loneliness

• Academic factors (school stress, worrying about exams and results)

• Financial pressure

Written by: Natalie Loh | Designed by: Tan Khai Teng | Edited by: Jonathan Kuek

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