Feeling anxious is a common emotion. Some anxiety is normal when facing stressful events.

However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, and irrational, it may interfere with daily activities like performance at work and relationships.

When anxiety becomes excessive, one may develop an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including: 

• Panic disorder – When one experiences recurrent panic attacks. Panic attacks are a sudden surge of intense fear/ discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.
  

• Agoraphobia – Significant fear and/or anxiety lasting for six months or more due to thoughts that there is little chance for escape or assistance in situations such as:
• Being in enclosed places
  
• Being in open spaces
  
• Being outside of the home alone
• Using public transportation
• Standing in line or being in a crowd
  

• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) – Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities occurring most of the time, for at least six months. People with GAD find it difficult to control their persistent worrying.