People with WS tend to be over-anxious and may be easily upset by criticism or frustration, or by events that other people regard as trivial. In some cases anxiety might manifest itself as hypochondria - a tendency to exaggerate everyday aches and pains into serious illness. The typically good verbal abilities of adults with WS may lead others to over-estimate their general ability, which can result in them being placed in situations that are too demanding, for example living arrangements or work settings that lack adequate support.
Inappropriate demands can cause individuals to worry excessively and to become anxious or upset.
In the workplace, changes of staff or in the way work is undertaken can be particularly distressing. Many individuals with WS have difficulty understanding the complexities of social interactions, and although increasing integration into mainstream society is generally a very positive trend, it is important to be aware that the outside world can also be a hostile and frightening place. Adults with WS can become extremely anxious if they feel that they are being 'picked on' or if someone is behaving in a confusing or threatening way. They may spend a great deal of time absorbed with these topics and talk about them repetitively, without being aware that other people may find this boring or irritating.