Anxiety
Are you feeling fearful or uneasy? Are your feelings of worry persistent, moving from one issue to another? Do you have an anxiety or anxiety disorder.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, fear or apprehension about what’s to come. Often our bodies respond to stress with anxiety and most people will feel anxious at some point in their life, such as before sitting an exam or going to a job interview. However, while stress may pass when the issue causing it is overcome (for example meeting a deadline), anxiety is something that can persist whether or not its cause is clear.
If your feelings of anxiety are extreme, it is difficult to control your worries or your symptoms are interfering with your daily life over a long period, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including phobias, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder.
What are the types of anxiety disorders?
- Panic disorder: experiencing panic attacks that arise at unexpected times and often reoccur.
- Phobia: excessive or irrational fear about a specific object or situation, such as a fear of flying or a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia).
- Social anxiety disorder: extreme anxiety about taking part in social situations and interactions, affecting your quality of life.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: managing recurring irrational and obsessive thoughts by performing specific, repeated behaviours.
- Separation anxiety disorder: recurrent and excessive fear of being away from home or loved ones.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): persistent anxiety and feelings of stress following a traumatic experience.
What are the types of anxiety disorders?
- Panic disorder:
experiencing panic attacks that arise at unexpected times and often reoccur. - Phobia:
excessive or irrational fear about a specific object or situation, such as a fear of flying or a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia). - Social anxiety disorder:
extreme anxiety about taking part in social situations and interactions, affecting your quality of life. - Obsessive-compulsive disorder:
managing recurring irrational and obsessive thoughts by performing specific, repeated behaviours. - Separation anxiety disorder:
recurrent and excessive fear of being away from home or loved ones. - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
persistent anxiety and feelings of stress following a traumatic experience.
What treatments help with anxiety?
Treatment for anxiety generally falls into two categories: psychotherapy for anxiety and medication. Meeting with a therapist for anxiety can help you learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs and gain a better understanding of its causes.
Medications, including antidepressants and sedatives, are commonly used to treat anxiety. They work to balance brain chemistry and prevent episodes of anxiety.
How can counselling help with Anxiety?
A qualified, professional therapist will work with you to examine your thoughts and behaviours and improve how you feel. You will build a relationship based on trust, giving you the confidence to share your feelings and emotions with them. Your counsellor will listen to all that you have to share with empathy and openness.
An experienced therapist can help you to manage your symptoms and find your own way forward.