Worrying

Information

Self-help Resources

 

We all worry from time to time about a variety of things such as our relationships, studies, work, family, health, and our finances.  Worrying can be beneficial in that it prompts us to take action – for example, if we were worried about our finances we would then look at ways to solve the problem.

Excessive worrying, however, is problematic.  When we constantly focus on what might go wrong or what has gone wrong in the past, when worrying becomes constant, when it impacts on your daily life, and when it feels uncontrollable – these are all signs that worrying has become larger than life for you. 

Excessive worrying is a key feature of anxiety, depression, and other clinical problems.  For example, worrying is found in Generalised Anxiety Disorder, which is characterised by excessive and uncontrollable worrying about a number of events.  It is also found in Social phobia or social anxiety, which is characterised by worrying about what others will think of you, and panic disorder and agoraphobia, where worrying about having a panic attack and not being able to escape are key features.

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Information

Can’t get you out of my head: About unwanted thoughts and worrying

Centre for Clinical Intervention
Contains information on generalised anxiety and mindfulness as a helpful tool.

Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)

 

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Self-help Resources

Centre for Clinical Intervention
Follow this link to the “What? Me Worry?!?” workbook which outlines what worrying is and what you can do to manage your worries. 
 

Self-help books

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne

 

 

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