Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a general feeling of fear, uneasiness, panic or nervousness.
Everyone feels anxiety at some point when faced with a challenging situation, such as going for an interview, starting a new job, or sitting exams. It is evolutionary, how we were created, and it is our body’s way of keeping us safe.
We would not have survived as a species without it!
Anxiety makes us more alert, increases out heart rate and sends blood to our limbs so we can run away from a really scary hungry tiger …... really fast.
Our bodies were designed to react this way, however we no longer have to deal with the same hungry tiger threats that we once did. Luckily!
For some people, the anxious feeling goes away after a short period, when we perceive the threat to be over, and we can begin to feel calmer again. However, for others, we are left with an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and we find it hard to calm ourselves down again. This is then known as an anxiety disorder.
When the feelings are too strong, or too constant, or too overwhelming, we may need tools and techniques to help us. Anxiety can soon spiral out of control and have an impact on our lives, maybe preventing us from walking into crowded places, attending social situations, or preventing us from leaving the house all together.
Some of us are still able to portray confidence to the outside world, while not able to function behind closed doors. The to-do list may be out of control and it feels safer to start nothing, than fail at something.
You may be overwhelmed, stuck in a rut and not able to see a way forward.
Some of us will feel anxious all of the time, while other may feel extreme anxiety in certain situations where we feel threatened.
This is where talking therapies can be helpful as they challenge how we behave and think about our own unique world, and offer tools and techniques to overcome our fears.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
Albert Einstein
With as many as one in four people experiencing anxiety disorders, it is a very common mental health condition, but it can be treated with talking therapies as well as a combination of CBT, NLP, and EFT, alongside a heart centered approach and relaxation techniques. The goal is always to understand what is triggering the anxiety and eliminate the underlying cause.
Together, these therapies and techniques will challenge your thought process and provide you with the tools to overcome your anxiety.
Seek Professional Help for Anxiety
While coping strategies provide temporary relief from anxiety, it is important to seek professional help if anxiety is impacting daily life.
An Anxiety Specialist can prescribe a personalised treatment plan and help you develop coping strategies that are focused around your individual needs.
Taking care of your mental health is an essential part of your overall well-being.
Additional Resources to Ease Anxiety
Read What Causes Anxiety?
Read What Are The Different Types of Anxiety?
Read Can Mindfulness Help with Anxiety
Watch How to Feel Less Anxious
Watch How To Reduce Anxiety Immediately
Watch Breathing Techniques for Anxiety
Download Circle of Control and Influence worksheet
Download Cognitive Distortions worksheet
Click on the button to book a call with an anxiety therapist