Interesting TVNZ program about Anxiety in Young People

Great informativeTVNZ program on how anxiety is growing in our youth and some great things that are being done to address it. Anxiety is a natural human reaction which most people experience at some point, yet normally people refer to anxiety as when it is an anxiety disorder, which can be debilitating, impacting our choices and reactions in daily life.

Anxiety can be shown as nervousness, fear, apprehension, or worry. When it is more severe, then it can affect how we feel and behave, and manifest in physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is common when challenged, which may be a general state of worry or fear before a test, examination, interview or new experience. While severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.

While some degree of anxiety is normal. Anxiety is considered a problem when symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to sleep or otherwise function. Generally speaking, anxiety occurs when a reaction is out of proportion with what might be normally expected in a situation.

The following video shows the full 17-minute program that appeared on the Sunday program. I loved the Wellington girls school initiative to reduce assessments in the early school years.

My own story around anxiety and emotions I share in the following TED-style talk in Auckland August 2017.