Anxiety
For some anxiety is grounded in the past. For others there may be changes in their present life they have no control over, leaving them feeling powerless. Or perhaps anxiety is troubling you but you don‘t know why? Working together we can normalise your responses to historically fearful situations, helping you regain your sense of ease in life.
A certain amount of anxiety is normal, even healthy. It can also be informative, letting us know that something needs our attention. It may be normal anxiety which can be thought of as the tension of life, a creative symptom that rings with the possibilities and truths of our lives. Sometimes anxiety is produced because of expectations, such as the belief that you can achieve an anxiety free life or that you should be married or more successful. Or it may be unrealised romantic, sexual, or creative energy that has no outlet. Perhaps it is a repressed anger over something buried within long ago. Understanding and reconciling what has been, what may be, and what may not be sits, at the heart of anxiety management.
But for some it is a greater struggle. It may be because of an insecure childhood or unrealistic expectations or wounds in adulthood. Coming to terms with life’s anxiety by learning to respect and even cherish it removes the stress and fear generated by repression. At the heart of anxiety lie the facts of life: possibility/impossibility, choice, absurdity, transition, competition, aging and loss (among others). We can’t change that fact but we can become more comfortable with it.
Is anxiety impacting your private life or work life and/or making you physically uncomfortable? Below is a list of some of symptoms you may have:
Feelings of irrational panic, fear and uneasiness.
Uncontrollable and/or obsessive thoughts or behaviours.
Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences.
Nightmares.
Difficulties sleeping.
A struggle to be still and calm.
Dry mouth.
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
Nausea.
Muscle tension.
Cold or sweaty hands.
Shortness of breath.
Palpitations.
Types Of Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder:
People with this condition have feelings of terror, fearfulness, intense apprehension, often associated with feelings of impending doom. Panic attack symptoms include: shortness of breath, heart palpitations/chest pains, choking sensations, or a fear of going crazy.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
People with OCD are plagued by constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. The disturbing thoughts are called obsessions and the rituals are called compulsions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
PTSD is a condition that can develop following a traumatic and/or terrifying event. People with PTSD often have lasting and frightening thoughts, dreams, and memories of a traumatic and/or terrifying event.
Social Anxiety Disorder:
Social anxiety disorder involves overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations.
Specific Phobias:
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as animals, flying, seeing blood, or heights. The level of fear is excessive or unreasonable to the situation and may cause the person to avoid everyday situations.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Excessive anxiety, worry about a number of events or activities, and tension, even if there is little or nothing to provoke the anxiety.
Therapy can help you address the underlying causes and symptoms of your anxiety. If anxiety is causing you distress get in touch.