Anxiety often manifests itself as feelings of unease, fear, and panic, and is generally – although not always – caused by stress. Feeling anxious before an interview or an exam, feeling butterflies in your stomach before a first date or when about to step on stage to host a presentation, is perfectly normal.
However, for some, anxiety can develop into a more prolonged and serious condition, often a symptom of disorders such as panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or PTSD, which can lead people to feel isolated and unable to engage in day to day life.
