Stress/Anxiety

The stress response consists of fight or flight psychological, physiological and behavioural responses. Everybody feels anxious at one time or another and it can be useful when the threat is short-lived e.g. work deadline or an exam because it can help direct energy towards that, however, it is harmful if prolonged. Normal anxiety is when your feelings are giving your information about your environment. When our stress response is in overdrive, we can slip into chronic anxiety, anger, low mood or depression. It can be hard to carry out day-to-day activities and responsibilities.

Symptoms of anxiety include:

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense
• Feeling a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate, breathing rapidly
• Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep, poor quality sleep)
• Being easily fatigued, feeling weak or tired
• Muscle tension
• Feeling on edge
• Difficulty concentrating or controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that might trigger anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Mind going blank

Several types of anxiety exist:

Panic attacks

Panic attacks are where an individual experiences recurrent unexpected panic attacks and is persistently concerned or worried about having more panic attacks or changes in his or her behaviour in maladaptive ways e.g. avoidance of exercise or unfamiliar locations. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of intense fear or intense discomfort that reach a peak within minutes, accompanied by physical and/or cognitive symptoms.

Social anxiety

Social anxiety disorder is where individuals are fearful or anxious about or avoidance of social interactions and situations that involved the possibility of being scrutinized, embarrassed, humiliated or rejected or offending others.

Substance abuse/Medication induced anxiety

Substance Abuse/Medication induced anxiety disorder is where anxiety is due to substance intoxication or withdrawal including prescribed medications.

Phobia

Agoraphobia is where individuals are fearful and anxious about using public transport, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in a crowd or being outside of the home alone in other situations.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder is persistent and excessive anxiety and worries about various domains including work and college performance that the individual finds difficult to control.
Stress triggers can include, relationship break-up, work issues, divorce, infidelity, any big life changes,
sudden unemployment, retirement

Anxiety treatment

In our sessions, we will explore any underlying causes of anxiety, unique triggers to and self-regulation techniques which have proven effective for numerous clients including:

• Mindfulness relaxation exercise
• Positive self-talk
• Sleep hygiene
• Exercise conducive to relaxation such as yoga
• Cognitive behaviour therapy to identify maladaptive thought patterns

Workshops

Send an email to enquire about our anxiety workshops