| Stress is a natural reaction to changes in | | | | Excessive anxiety is often associated with |
| your life both happy and sad. Going on an | | | | other mental health problems, such as |
| exciting first date or getting rejected both | | | | depression. Anxiety is only considered to be |
| create stress. Stress is normal and can even | | | | a mental health problem when it is prolonged, |
| motivate you, e.g., when you are stressed the | | | | severe and is interfering with everyday |
| week before a test and you study hard. | | | | activities. |
| However, too much stress can cause DISTRESS. | | | | |
| Faced with too much stress over long periods | | | | Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder |
| of time, the body can become exhausted and | | | | often involves psychotherapy, including |
| you can become ill. Some illnesses associated | | | | cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Where |
| with prolonged stress are high blood | | | | necessary, one of the selective serotonin |
| pressure, heart disease, migraines, | | | | reuptake inhibitors will be introduced to |
| allergies, etc. | | | | improve symptoms including avoidance |
| | | | behaviour where people try not to remind |
| Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Everybody | | | | themselves of the event. It's also important |
| experiences it when faced with a stressful | | | | to recognize that people who've developed |
| situation, for example before an exam or an | | | | posttraumatic stress disorder often have |
| interview, or during a worrying time such as | | | | other types of problems, including substance |
| illness. It's normal to feel anxious when | | | | abuse and other anxiety and mood disorders. |
| facing something difficult or dangerous, and | | | | When present, treatment of these so-called |
| mild anxiety can be a positive and useful | | | | "comorbid" disorders can improve the outlook |
| experience. However, for one in 10 people in | | | | for people with posttraumatic stress |
| the UK, anxiety interferes with normal life. | | | | disorder. |