Anxiety

For the majority of people anxiety is a normal response to a perceived threatening, challenging or dangerous situation. For others, it is a more enduring condition that can fluctuate over time.

In some circumstances, a person may experience anxiety in situations that are not generally perceived as threatening or dangerous – such behaviour may be constant or caused by specific triggers.

Traits

Physical symptoms:

• Heart palpitations or ‘heart in throat’
• Tense muscles
• Sweating, dizziness or fainting
• Stomach problems
• Hypersensitivity to noise, smells, taste or touch.

Changes in thought patterns:

• Sudden excitement or marked irritability
• Feeling of time going slowly
• Excessive worrying or anticipating a problem
• Extremely focused thinking
• Experiencing feelings of dread or impending doom.

Changes in behaviour:

• Sudden bursts of energy, speed or strength
• Experiencing shakiness and/or feeling tired
• Being very still or ‘frozen’
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping.

Potential impact on daily life and employment

• Raised blood pressure
• Avoidance of certain situations
• Low self confidence
• Poor concentration and feeling unable to perform tasks
• Feeling problems are impossible to solve
• Underestimating the ability to cope
• Thoughts becoming increasingly and persistently negative
• Constant worrying or fidgeting.

Support in the workplace

• For a new employee with known anxiety, ensure the welcome and induction process is clear and understood
• Consider additional support in the first few weeks
• Appoint a workplace buddy or mentor to provide personal support
• Find out about the medication they are taking and possible side effects
• Ask the individual to explain how their stress/anxiety manifests itself and ensure you have the individual’s permission to talk about it with others should that be required
• Avoid phrases such as “pull yourself together”, “you’ll get over it”, “it’s not as bad as you think”
• Identify workplace activities that may trigger particular levels of stress or anxiety, and consider temporary or permanent adjustments.

Source; Beyond Blue, 2015.