Anxiety

Feeling anxious or worried is a normal, human sensation, but it can become a mental health issue when it affects our ability to live our lives as we would wish to. Naturally in sport, anxiety might be experienced around competitions, training camps or even when you start with a new coach, and although these are normal parts of sporting life it's important to know when these feelings are becoming difficult to cope with.

Like many mental health conditions, anxiety can have both physical and psychological symptoms.

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Physical symptoms can include:

• Stomach based symptoms such as nausea, changes in frequency of needing the toilet

• Feeling light-headed or dizzy

• Pins and needles

• Pains such as headaches and backache, although you may also experience pains in other areas of your body

• Fast breathing

• Being more aware of your heartbeat, which could be fast, thumping or irregular

• Sweating or hot flushes

• Insomnia

• Grinding your teeth

• Changes in your sex drive

• Panic attacks (for more on panic attacks please click here)

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Psychological symptoms can include:

• 'Catastrophising'; fearing the worst

• Feeling self-conscious

• Being unable to relax

• Feeling disconnected from your mind, body and world around you

• Seeking extra reassurance from those around you

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Do you think you have, or know someone who has anxiety? Click the buttons below for further information around support.