Anxiety
Anxiety is not a disorder that goes away on its own. People cannot just "get over" anxiety or put trauma or stress away somewhere.
It is a very real, overwhelming emotional state that can result in physical health problems and increasing mental health issues, if not treated.
Anxiety, when viewed as a mental health condition, is not the same as worry or fretting over something. When it becomes a chronic state anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of dread that is pervasive and never goes away. In many cases anxiety seems to spread, moving from a distinctive area of focus to one that encompasses all aspects of a person's life.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders and understanding and recognising the signs of anxiety can be instrumental in reaching out for professional help. At the Mayfair Therapy Practice clients work with counsellors and psychotherapists to address the causes of their anxiety and move forward in developing new, healthy coping strategies to deal with these issues.
Generalised Anxiety
To be diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorderor GAD symptoms need to be present for at least six months and be negatively impacting the individual's life. In addition, there must be several symptoms or signs present which change or become worse with time.
The most common of these symptoms are feelings of agitation and restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, intense worry over real as well as perceived issues and problems maintaining normal sleep patterns.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder, which can also be called panic attacks, is based around sudden, unexpected incidents of extreme fear. These may be seemingly random to the individual, or triggered by a specific event, location, situation or other type of factor.
The symptoms of panic disorders are often extreme, and the individual experiencing them may feel like they are having a heart attack. They may have difficulty in breathing, a highly accelerated heart rate, choking sensations or feel incredibly threatened whilst being in a non-threatening situation.
Many people with this type of disorder become isolated over time, as they begin to fear potential future attacks, and the more they isolate the more their anxiety can build. Some people may also develop a fear of leaving a safe space, known as agoraphobia.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Most people are uncomfortable in crowds and in having to be the centre of attention at public events. People with social anxiety disorder have extreme reactions to these types of situations; they assume others are judging them and may even see positive comments as a negative judgment. With social anxiety disorder being around others in the workplace or in social situations is very challenging, so they tend to reduce or avoid the likelihood of this happening.
Through experienced and effective counselling and psychotherapy we can explore fear or anxiety and evaluate it in a safe, comfortable and non-judgmental setting. Our clients develop coping mechanisms to help them address the triggers of anxiety, allowing them to integrate effective ways into their lives of addressing anxiety, moving from unhealthy reactions into a healthy, positive response.
If you are looking for help with anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety disorder, we may be able to help.
Contact us by email or call us on 07809 668193 to find out more, and to arrange contact with one of our specialists.
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