Anxiety Counselling

It is possible to get your life back!

Would you benefit from Anxiety Counselling?

Symptoms of anxiety can take many forms and guises from low level anxiety to full-blown panic attacks, but some of the following are commonplace among anxiety sufferers:-

• Feeling irritable more than usual
• Feeling nervous in normal situations
• Disrupted sleep patterns and difficult sleeping
• Muscle tension and unable to ‘unwind’
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness of light headedness
• Dry mouth
• Shaking or tremors
• Blurred/altered vision
• Loose bowel movements
• Flushes
• Extreme fatigue

Why do we get anxious?

Modern life can be stressful and any number of factors can trigger the development of anxiety disorders. There is a often a hereditary predisposition to anxiety, but not always. There may be triggers, for example a sudden, profound event such as the death of a loved one or divorce, or can be a gradual build-up of problems at home or work. It can also be that a person has learned behaviours or ways of thinking at an early age which may persist into adulthood. Regardless of cause, anxiety disorder counselling is often very effective in evoking positive change.

It may not feel like it when you’re anxious, but the physical mechanism for fear and anxiety was once a vital part of our development. In situations where an individual was threatened, a massive surge of adrenaline to kick-start action would be released, preparing a person for a ‘flight or fight’. In most situations in our modern world, however, fighting or fleeing is no longer necessary – but the body will tell us otherwise!

Types of Anxiety Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is an underlying, on-going form of anxiousness without apparent reason. Sufferers tend to have problems with sleeping, relaxing and related symptoms such as tension.

Panic

A panic attack is an incredibly frigtening physical event that often strikes suddenly and without warning. When experienced repeatedly they are incredibly debilitating. A panic attack usually features a very unpleasant concoction of shortness of breath, dizziness and palpitations that can make people believe they are close to collapse, a heart attack, or losing control. Understandably they can cause avoidant behaviours, such as fear of going to places where they could have an attack and feel trapped, or in extreme cases fear of leaving their home – agoraphobia.

Phobia

Phobias aren’t necessarily limited to situations, but can be developed by people towards things or objects such as spiders or giving blood. Social phobia is seen as an extreme version of shyness with the fear of being judged or noticed, severe enough to cause blushing or nausea.

If you think you may be suffering from any of these anxiety disorders or low-lying anxiety, then call me today and we’ll get you on track towards a healthier and more enjoyable life.

I provide support to people with phobias through behavioural therapy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a proven, evidence based, effective approach for countering phobias, and indeed all permutations of anxiety.

Social anxiety

Social anxiety is a greater version of shyness, it’s a greater fear of social situations, probably including speaking to people, particularly strangers. Sufferers can end up avoiding such social situations completely, which can lead to loneliness and a ‘smaller’ life.