Each of us can experience anxiety at some point in our lives. It is a normal part of being human and is your body’s reaction to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or worry about what’s to come that causes increased alertness and physical signs. Rapid heart rate; muscle tightness; sweating; shaking, and dry mouth are all common symptoms of anxiety. ‘Catastrophizing’, ‘expecting the worst’, and experiencing an ‘impending doom’ are also signs of anxiety. Everyone is different, so it is important to avoid comparing life experiences. There are many different factors that contribute to how anxiety can develop such as: past life experiences; current life situation; physical and mental health problems, or substances (drugs and medication).
Anxiety is a normal, if unpleasant, part of life, and it can affect us all in different ways and at different times. Sometimes we know what causes our anxiety, such as a traumatic experience or significant life event (moving house; getting divorced; having surgery). However, sometimes we don’t have an identifiable cause for our anxiety and it can result in us feeling very distressed.
We will provide a safe space to support and help you make sense of what you are experiencing. Together, we can identify the tools and techniques necessary for managing your anxiety. If your feelings of anxiety are extreme and persist, this can start interfering with the quality of your life. If you are finding this to be the case, then counselling for anxiety might be for you.