HEALTH MATTERS UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY by HOLLY DUHIG Power KiDS press New York
WHAT IS ANXIETY Anxiety is a word we use to describe the feelings of fear and worry that we all experience from time to time For example many of us feel anxious before performing on stage or taking a test Our thoughts might race and we might feel like there are knots in our stomach These feelings are completely normal They can sometimes even be helpful because they let us know that what we are doing is important to us 4 BEING ANXIOUS BEFORE A BIG SPORTS MATCH CAN HELP GIVE YOU THE ENERGY YOU NEED TO PERFORM AT YOUR BEST
However when feelings of worry stop us from doing things we like to do or when they affect us all the time even when nothing scary is happening it is considered to be a mental health condition A mental health condition is a condition that affects the brain our thoughts and our feelings Both children and adults can have mental health conditions like anxiety Often mental health conditions are diagnosed by a doctor or therapist FACT WHEN ANXIETY AFFECTS OUR MENTAL HEALTH IT IS OFTEN CALLED GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER 5
