Persistent anxiety: when worry starts taking over daily life

Occasional worry is part of life, but hard-to-control anxiety repeatedly disrupting sleep, work or relationships deserves assessment. Physical symptoms can accompany it; palpitations or dizziness should not automatically be labelled psychological.

Note what worries you, when it intensifies and how it affects daily activities. Regular sleep, activity and less caffeine may help, but they neither establish diagnosis nor determine whether you deserve treatment.

Options include cognitive behavioural therapy and, for some people, prescribed medicines. If treatment is not helping, review the plan rather than blaming yourself or self-medicating with alcohol or sedatives.