Symptoms of Anxiety

Almost all of us have experienced anxiety at some point in time.

The levels of intensity can vary depending on the situation. Some people might feel 'butterflies' in their stomachs; whilst others can experience complete paralysis.

When an employee suffers from anxiety, they may display all kinds of symptoms. This makes it difficult to identify these types of conditions in the workplace.

But all employers have a legal and moral duty of providing support to affected staff. If you neglect their mental wellbeing, you could end up facing costly penalties and business damages.

Let’s look at different symptoms of anxiety, the laws on mental health, and how to support employees suffering from anxiety disorder.

What are anxiety symptoms?

Anxiety is a mental health condition that stops you from performing normal activities. 

People can experience mental and physical symptoms of anxiety during episodes. These can involve detrimental attacks, where peak levels are reached within minutes.

Physical symptoms include:

• Dizziness and tiredness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Excessive sweating.
• Stomach aches and vomiting.

Psychological symptoms include:

• Feeling dread.
• Being highly apprehensive.
• Difficulty in concentrating.
• Feeling irritated.

What causes symptoms of anxiety disorders?

We don’t exactly know what causes behavioural symptoms of anxiety. However, it’s understood the causes may come from:

• Family genetics.
• Neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).
• Brain development.
• Environmental factors.

There’s no distinction between mild anxiety symptoms in men and anxiety symptoms in women. Neither does race, sexuality, or gender identities play a part–anyone can experience anxiety.

It might not be clear what specific triggers are, but phobias can play a huge part. If someone suffers from a phobia, they may experience chronic symptoms of anxiety simultaneously.

Different types of anxiety disorder

People can be diagnosed with different types of anxiety disorder, like:

• Agoraphobia: Feeling trapped or helpless in certain places or situations.
• Generalised anxiety disorder: Excessive worrying during ordinary activities or routines.
• Panic disorder: Recurring or sudden feelings of intense anxiety.
• Select mutism: Consistent failure to speak in certain situations.
• Separation anxiety disorder: Feeling lonely, alone, or separated from close relations.
• Social anxiety disorder: Fears of embarrassment or judgment during social situations.
• Substance-induced anxiety disorder: Derives from the misuse of medication and intoxicants (which can create symptoms for death anxiety disorder).

What are the laws around anxiety disorder?

There aren’t specific regulations on anxiety disorders in employment law. However, as an employer, you have a legal duty of care for staff members with a health condition.

Under the Equality Act (2010), a mental health condition,  like anxiety, can qualify as a disability if conditions are met.

These employees are legally entitled to reasonable adjustments–helping to support them during work.

If you neglect or deny these rights, you could face legal court claims and pay costly penalties.

How to manage someone with anxiety

When it comes to employees with health conditions, you need to provide the right support and care. Everyone with an anxiety disorder will present their own symptoms, types, and triggers.

So, it’s important to understand how to help them through their individual condition. Here’s how to manage someone with anxiety symptoms at work:   

Open communication

Anxiety might seem like a small condition that can come and go in minutes. But for some people, it may cause detrimental effects to their entire day.

Keep open communication with them; and minimise any sign of work-related stress or anxiety symptoms. Talk to them about their personal experiences and how you can improve work conditions.

Provide reasonable adjustment

A beneficial step for providing support, is though reasonable adjustments. These can range from amending targets to offering paid medical leave.

Remember, you are legally bound to care for employees with mental health conditions. And if it qualifies as a disability, you must make changes that allow them to perform safely.

Identify triggers

People with anxiety disorders will have different types of triggers. So, it’s important to discover what exactly affects the employee in question.

Once you’ve identified triggers, you can minimise the effects they cause. And ensure other colleagues and line managers eliminate triggers during work.

Eliminate mental health stigma

It’s so important to eliminate mental health stigma in the workplace. As a business, you should hold zero-tolerance for bullying, harassment, or discrimination relating to health conditions.

To eliminate these stigmas, provide informative training on anxiety and other disorders. That way, all employees can develop awareness and understand how to help colleagues suffering at work.

Get expert guidance on anxiety with Health Assured

It’s so important to protect employees with an anxiety disorder. By focusing on your legal duty of care, all employees with health conditions can work safely.

But if you neglect them, you could be held liable for discrimination–causing huge repercussions to your business.

Health Assured offer expert guidance on supporting employees with anxiety disorders. Our team can help you safeguard employee wellbeing whilst simultaneously meeting your company’s needs.

We also provide a 24/7 helpline, that’s open 365 days a year–helping you care for your staff all year round. Arrange a call back from an expert today on 0800 206 2550.