Unit Standard number 114938
DESCRIBE HOW TO MANAGE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE
1. Explain what anxiety is. (Page 7)
Anxiety feels a bit like fear but you often don't know what you are anxious about. Anxiety affects the
whole being including how one feels, how one behaves and has very real physical symptoms.
Anxiety is defined as ‘a diffuse sense of unpleasant and vague apprehension focusing on possible future
sources of threat — often accompanied by autonomic symptoms and with an insidious course.’ Anxiety
is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no
obvious reasons for worry. People with anxiety tend to expect disaster and can't stop worrying about
health, money, family, work, or school. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes with daily functioning,
including work, school, social activities, and relationships.
2. What causes anxiety in the daily lives of people? (Page 7)
Anxiety is often triggered by stress and negative self-talk - a habit of always telling ourselves the worst
will happen.
A number of factors -- including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses contribute to the
causes of anxiety.
Genetics:
Family history - This means that the tendency to develop anxiety may be passed on in families.
Brain chemistry:
Abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. This can alter the way the brain reacts in
certain situations, leading to anxiety.
Environmental factors:
Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools,
may lead to anxiety.
Chemicals:
The use of and/or withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can
also worsen anxiety.
3. Name five symptoms of anxiety. (Page 10)
Restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating.
4. Why is it important to identify anxiety early? (Page 11)
It is important to identify anxiety early because if left unchecked, it may become chronic and precipitate
symptoms of anxiety disorders that may be accompanied by significant and enduring impairment.
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in primary care, accounting for 25% of all
presenting problems. Chronic anxiety confers a substantial burden on quality of life, cost and use of
health care services.
5. Provide three reasons for workplace anxiety (Page 12)
All three of these reasons can cause major stress which is the leading cause of anxiety.
DESCRIBE HOW TO MANAGE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE
1. Explain what anxiety is. (Page 7)
Anxiety feels a bit like fear but you often don't know what you are anxious about. Anxiety affects the
whole being including how one feels, how one behaves and has very real physical symptoms.
Anxiety is defined as ‘a diffuse sense of unpleasant and vague apprehension focusing on possible future
sources of threat — often accompanied by autonomic symptoms and with an insidious course.’ Anxiety
is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no
obvious reasons for worry. People with anxiety tend to expect disaster and can't stop worrying about
health, money, family, work, or school. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.
Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes with daily functioning,
including work, school, social activities, and relationships.
2. What causes anxiety in the daily lives of people? (Page 7)
Anxiety is often triggered by stress and negative self-talk - a habit of always telling ourselves the worst
will happen.
A number of factors -- including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses contribute to the
causes of anxiety.
Genetics:
Family history - This means that the tendency to develop anxiety may be passed on in families.
Brain chemistry:
Abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. This can alter the way the brain reacts in
certain situations, leading to anxiety.
Environmental factors:
Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools,
may lead to anxiety.
Chemicals:
The use of and/or withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can
also worsen anxiety.
3. Name five symptoms of anxiety. (Page 10)
Restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating.
4. Why is it important to identify anxiety early? (Page 11)
It is important to identify anxiety early because if left unchecked, it may become chronic and precipitate
symptoms of anxiety disorders that may be accompanied by significant and enduring impairment.
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in primary care, accounting for 25% of all
presenting problems. Chronic anxiety confers a substantial burden on quality of life, cost and use of
health care services.
5. Provide three reasons for workplace anxiety (Page 12)
All three of these reasons can cause major stress which is the leading cause of anxiety.
