Anxiety

In my experience as a counsellor, I have met more and more people lately who suffer with anxiety. By this I mean that it is out-of-proportion to the thing it is focussed on, or where there is no clear focus. And those are the reasons this range of conditions seem difficult to overcome! It's like trying to fight an invisible foe: you cannot use logic and reason alone to get rid of it, although I meet many who have tried this approach. The difficulty is that overthinking, or worrying are things we do to try to cope, but they are also the 'symptoms'!

Although I have counselled many people for this lately and do not see it as difficult to reduce within a few sessions, I am aware that there are many living with this debilitating condition for who life is intolerable.

Sufferers may also experience relationship problems, depression and low self-esteem. Counselling however, works on all these simultaneously!

Psychological Symptoms

These are some of the things you might notice.

  • Excessive worrying
  • Difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep
  • Problems concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Unease or shaky sensations
  • Needing frequent reassurance
  • Becoming tearful

Symptoms others might notice

If excessive, you might also have physical symptoms that can be embarrassing or debilitating.

  • Heart palpitations
  • Faster breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Pounding heartbeat
  • Panic attacks
  • Nausea
  • Chest pains
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headaches
  • Sweating hands/feet/general sweating
  • Feeling faint
  • Needing the toilet more than usual

Social Effects

You experience discomfort and don't want others to know

  • Worrying that others might judge you
  • Thinking you are 'not good enough'
  • You might not be very alert to social situations because you are focussed on your worries
  • Performance at work suffers because you are tired, which makes you even more anxious
  • You dare not go out

Types of Anxiety

This condition covers a broad range of types.

  • Generalised Anxiety disorder (GAD) - you have no idea what drives it
  • Social Anxiety - you avoid social situations
  • Panic disorder - you have panic attacks

What can a Counsellor do to help you recover?

Recovery

I have worked with many people who have recovered enough to stop taking medication within just a few weeks.

I know it's not something a person can fix alone, but I will put my experience at your disposal and will listen intently to what you are saying - and the meanings behind what you are saying.

I aim to help you get your life back and to reflect on what you learn from counselling with me what you need so you can overcome any future setbacks too!