Stress & Anxiety

What is Anxiety?

Living with cystic fibrosis has many things that are stressful, such as fear about a medical procedure or worries about catching nasty bugs. Anxiety is our mind’s and our body’s way of dealing with challenging situations. Those butterfly feelings we get are our natural response to these situations.

Although it doesn’t feel pleasant, anxiety can help jog us towards our goals. It can alert us to dangers and help us pay attention. So if you feel stressed about an upcoming exam, it might make you more motivated to study for it. Without the discomfort of stress, we might never get off the couch!

Don’t forget that anxiety is a normal emotion that comes and goes. Some of the main things it can be triggered by are fears or worries about health, work, relationships or money.

The emotion of anxiety can be a useful sign to help us prepare for managing difficult events and upcoming changes.

Dealing with anxiety

Sometimes our anxiety levels get high enough to become a problem. If anxiety doesn’t go away and gets worse over time, this might mean you have an anxiety disorder. This can stop you from taking part in everyday activities, such as going to school, meeting friends, exercising or hospital visits. Anxiety disorders are different from ‘normal’ feelings of nervousness or anxiousness, and involve having excessive fears that may cause physical symptoms.

Some of the things that can happen if you have an anxiety disorder are:

• Physical symptoms, like panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, a racing heart, tightening of the chest, quick breathing, restlessness, or feeling tense, wound up and edgy
• Psychological symptoms such as excessive fear, worry, catastrophizing, or obsessive thinking
• Behavioural issues like avoiding situations that make you feel anxious, which can have an impact on your study, work or social life

Who to talk to and how to get help

It’s always good to share your worries with someone you trust.

If you think that your anxiety is becoming a problem and is stopping you doing the things in life that you want to do, it can help to get some support from a trusted adult.

Some of the people you might like to talk to are a parent or family member, your CF clinic team, your family doctor, a psychologist or counselor, a teacher or another school staff member such as a nurse, wellbeing officer or year coordinator.

Finding support

The links below can assist you to find information services and supports in your area.

• Beyond Blue
• Kids Help Line
• Headspace
• Reach Out
• More resources and support services for young people

Listen to (or read the transcript) – Seeking help for the first time in a crisis (All In The Mind, ABC)

Find out more about mindfulness at Smiling Mind.

Return to Mental Health & Wellbeing