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In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 and this year’s theme of ‘Anxiety’, this blog will discuss some common causes of anxiety.

There are many factors that can lead to an increase in anxiety levels. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions and it affects many people in a variety of ways. There are also a number of ways to cope with anxiety including meditation, CBT and therapy. The type of treatment used is a personal decision, although seeking the advice of one’s GP should always be the first step.

Girl with an anxious expression

Cost of Living Crisis Causing Anxiety

One of the most common causes of anxiety is financial stress, much of it caused by the current cost of living crisis (often abbreviated to COL). The increasing use of food banks and the very real decision to ‘heat or eat’ can be anxiety inducing. The current economic situation impacts a large number of people and the effects of poverty are not confined to families and pensioners. Even those on middle to high incomes are being stretched, primarily because they fall through the ‘gap’ of entitlement and are not able to claim any government help.

Thankfully, there are charities and other organisations which offer help and support to those struggling with the cost of living. They include food banks such as the Trussell Trust, as well as charities including Christians Against Poverty, Age Concern, Crisis and the Samaritans. They help people in many ways and offer advice to those who find themselves in financial difficulty. Other organisations such as Citizens Advice (UK) and the Citizens Information Service (Ireland) act as signposts to additional sources of help and provide advice on the types of benefits people may be entitled to. They can also help people complete forms and other documentation, which some individuals find complex and daunting.

Relationships and Anxiety

In certain circumstances, anxiety increases when a relationship breaks down. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many couples spent an increased amount of time together during lockdown, and this led to the breakdown their personal relationships. The result was an increase in anxiety as communication suffered and relationships floundered. Organisations such as Women’s Aid have seen a steep rise in individuals seeking help and relationship advice, with much of it resulting from the pandemic as well as the cost of living crisis. These organisations need adequate funding and resources if they are to provide the help and support necessary to individuals suffering from anxiety.

In our next blog we will examine the issue of health anxiety, which has been increasing in recent years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19.

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