This is a feeling of foreboding, panic or apprehension and is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms of sweating, palpitations, agitation, nervousness, headaches and anorexia. If severe and sudden, anxiety may result in a panic attack.

Cause

Anxiety may be caused by any problem that results in fear, uncertainty or a feeling of insecurity. Examples are coping with a new diagnosis, acute illness, the prospect of ill health or social difficulties such as housing, work and finance.

Anxiety can also be a side effect experienced during the early weeks of efavirenz treatment. If it is severe (e.g. stopping you from doing things or becoming very noticeable to others) or it persists for more than a few weeks after starting efavirenz, you should discuss with your doctor whether to continue with efavirenz treatment, or whether any short term medication is available which can help to control the anxiety.

See Efavirenz - overview in Drugs used by people with HIV: non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for further information on dealing with anxiety, mood swings and other nervous system reactions when starting the drug.

What to do

If the anxiety concerns a practical problem then getting advice and information and dealing with this may help. If it is related to other issues then talking things over with someone who you can trust such as a close friend or a trained counsellor can be useful. Often having more information or deciding on options on how to cope with difficulties helps to allay anxiety and reduce stress. Complementary therapies or specific relaxation techniques may help in alleviating the physical symptoms of anxiety. Drugs such as benzodiazepines including Valium are rarely of help and in the long term are addictive. They may, however, be useful in severe acute anxiety if given for short periods only.

Also see Depression in Symptoms and illnesses: A to Z of illnesses.