Anxiety 

Anxiety disorders are common presentations seen in mental health settings.  “Anxiety” means a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about things, or excessive uneasiness or apprehension.  People with anxiety disorders may have worries or fears about everyday situations that are excessive and persistent, and are out of proportion to the event itself.

While feelings of anxiety can be very normal in certain situations, like going to a job interview or sitting an exam, people with anxiety disorders tend to have feelings of anxiety that are more constant, difficult to control and can impinge on their everyday life.

As well as feelings of worry or unease, people can experience physical symptoms of anxiety.  These include heart palpitations (racing heart), increased breathing, feeling hot and sweaty, dizziness, nausea and difficulties sleeping.

Anxiety is a symptom of a number of disorders including panic disorder, phobias, generalised anxiety disorder, (GAD) social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  These disorders may be triggered by different experiences and occur in different situations but they all share the same underlying experience of anxiety and related symptoms.

Anxiety disorders can occur as a result of different triggers, including family history or genes, stressful life events either currently or in the past, and long-term health conditions.

Treatment for anxiety can be through medication or psychological talking therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy.

Contact us in confidence to find out more about treatments and counselling for Anxiety.