Everyone feels anxious sometimes, and it is a normal response to some of life’s challenges, like exams or redundancy or moving home. But if worrying starts to take over and gets in the way of living life, then we might have an anxiety problem. You can take this short quiz to help you assess your mood: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mood-self-assessment.aspx
Generalised anxiety is when we worry all of the time, feel tense and find it hard to sleep.
Panic is when we feel an overwhelming surge of anxiety that makes us want to leave the situation.
Other types of anxiety include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which can follow a trauma, such as an accident or abuse. Anxiety to do things over and over again to stop bad things happening is called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is when you have anxiety to do things repeatedly. The best way to help yourself recover from anxiety is to gradually start doing the things you have avoided. Learning to relax can also help. This website has lots of ideas and resources to help you.
Self Help Guides
- Panic (produced by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust) / http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/Panic.asp
- Breathing Techniques for Relaxation
- Anxiety (produced by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust) / http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/Anxiety.asp
- Post-Traumatic Stress (produced by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust) /
- http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/posttrauma.asp
- Obsessions and Compulsions (produced by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust) / http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/obsessioncompulsion.asp
- Let’s Get moving
- Worry in later life (Wolverhampton Healthy Minds)
- Workbooks for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (University of Exeter)
Self Help Books
The Books on Prescription scheme offers self-management books that are highly recommended by reputable practitioners and organisations. Many of the books are self-help versions of evidence-based treatments. They offer a way of helping you to help yourself to take control of your life.
You can borrow the books from any of Wolverhampton’s libraries, free of charge.
For details of local libraries, telephone 01902 552025 or go to: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries
If you use a book from the scheme, and it doesn’t help,you should ask your GP for further advice
- Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley
- Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler
- Overcoming Anxiety, Stress and Panic by Chris Williams
- The Worry Cure: Stop Worrying and Start Living by Robert L. Leahy
- How to Stop Worrying by Frank Tallis
- Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers
- Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems by Colin A. Espie
- Overcoming Panic by Derrick Silove
- Overcoming Health Anxiety by David Veale and Rob Wilson
- An Introduction to Coping with Health Anxiety by Brenda Hogan and Charles Young
- Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by David Veale and Rob Willson
- Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions by Frank Tallis
- Break Free from OCD: Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with CBT by Fiona Challacombe, Victoria Bream Oldfield and Paul M. Salkovskis
- An Introduction to Coping with Phobias by Hogan