AlexaShutUp Sun 19-May-19 10:50:13

Watch the programme on iPlayer with Nadiya Begum. It's very moving, and she is very open and honest about how her anxiety affects her. The programme might not help you understand the condition more, but it will at least give you an insight into the way in which anxiety can take over your life.



I don't personally suffer from this problem, but my mother has struggled with anxiety for years. It's very difficult to understand from the outside, as it isn't generally based on rational concerns or logical reasoning. If I'm honest, it can be incredibly frustrating to deal with, and it's really easy to be dismissive of someone else's anxiety because it seems so pointless to someone who doesn't share it, but the point is that the fears are completely real to the individual concerned and they can be utterly debilitating.



As a manager, I think you need to be patient with the person concerned, and to understand that this is an illness like any other - the person cannot just choose to get better, no matter how hard they try. Create an atmosphere where it's ok for people to talk about how they feel, and where it's ok for people to ask for help if they need it.



If individuals get anxious about work stuff, then you need to listen to their concerns and acknowledge them. Don't belittle what they feel, but do challenge their thinking and offer an alternative perspective. And if they have to do specific tasks which might contribute to their anxiety, think about what adjustments or support could be put in place to help them get through them.