Anxiety
Anxiety is our body’s way of informing us that something is not quite right. It is a normal part of life and is a natural reaction to our environment. Anxiety is related to our "fight or flight" response - our body's natural response to a dangerous situation. It is often a vague unpleasant emotional state, accompanied by feelings of apprehension, dread, distress and uneasiness. As such it can often be difficult to determine when anxiety has started to become a problem. If your anxiety is starting to affect the way you want to live or affecting the way you live it might be time for you to seek help.
Symptoms of anxiety can or may include:
- Easily tired
- On edge/restless
- Irritable
- Sleeping poorly
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty concentrating
Most of the above symptoms can be considered normal responses at different times depending on your environment. They may not always indicate that you suffer from anxiety.
It is very important to note that anxiety is NOT fear. Anxiety is intangible and object-less; Fear is very specific.
Helpful tips to manage your anxiety:
- Talk to a trusted friend
- Remember to breathe
- Distract yourself
- Listen to music
- Get some exercise
- Keep a diary
- Eat a healthy diet
- Drink plenty of water
There might be times when your anxiety can tip into a panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden severe feeling of fear that occurs for no discernable reason. The inexplicable fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, numbness and feeling faint.
It is very important to note that sometimes your anxiety can have a concrete cause that you are able to identify. However, often the anxiety and panic attacks have intangible causes that are very difficult to discern yourself.
If you are worried about anxiety or are having panic attacks please contact your GP and consider discussing your symptoms with a trained counsellor.
All of our Counsellors, Therapists, Psychotherapists and Psychologists are experienced in working with anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Here at the Practice, we offer a range of help and support for issues surrounding anxiety, including; anxiety counselling, anxiety therapy and much more. You can contact any of our therapists directly, via The Practice phone number or online. Servicing Surrey from our sites in Weybridge and East Molesey and online.
Useful Articles
Here's a list of articles about anxiety you might find helpful.
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Anxiety
The following suggestions can be used to address fearful beliefs, avoidance behaviours, and tension in the body. The effectiveness of each will depend on the type of anxiety you experience and severity of current problems.
A new angle on Anxiety
Clinical anxiety affects up to 30 percent of Americans who are in great need of better treatments with fewer side effects. A study finds that certain neurons in the hypothalamus play a central, previously unknown role in triggering anxiety.
10 things you should never say to a mother dealing with anxiety
If you don't understand the difference between stress and anxiety, odds are you've never been diagnosed with any kind of anxiety disorder. Parents are infamous for telling tales of stress and anxiety, but for those of us who have been clinically diagnosed with some sort of anxiety disorder, the parental struggle that most people talk about seems more like a walk through the park than a day in the circus. There's a big difference between the two, and understanding that difference will help you avoid saying things you should never say to a parent dealing with anxietythat, you know, inevitably make it all worse.
Women 'nearly twice as likely to suffer from anxiety' than men
Its authors from Cambridge University say that as well as women, young people under 35 and those with health problems are particularly affected.
13 Things Men With Anxiety And Depression Want You To Know
Openly discussing mental illness can be a tough battle for anyone — but for men, the cultural baggage of traditional masculinity may make it particularly challenging.
Recommended Books
Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong (3rd Edition): Volume 3 (Overcoming Common Problems)
This book has helped many thousands of those who have depression. This new edition, written by a leading consultant psychiatrist, explains that depression tests the strongest of us. Dr Cantopher guides the reader through the nature of depression, its history, symptoms, causes and treatments.
Philosophy for Life: And other dangerous situations
In his engaging book, Jules Evans explains how ancient philosophy saved his life, and how we can all use it to become happier, wiser and more resilient.
The Consolations of Philosophy
Alain de Botton, bestselling author of How Proust Can Change Your Life, has set six of the finest minds in the history of philosophy to work on the problems of everyday life.
Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure
Robert de Board's engaging account of Toad's experience of counselling will capture the imagination of the growing readership of people who are interested in counselling and the counselling process.
The Life Changing Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Sarah Knight
This irreverent and practical book explains how to rid yourself of unwanted obligations, shame, and guilt - and give your f**ks instead to people and things that make you happy.
Helpful articles often written by our fabulous practitioners.