Anxiety Counselling

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural and usually short-lived reaction to a stressful situation, associated with feelings of worry, nervousness or apprehension.
It typically occurs in new, unfamiliar or challenging situations, where the person might not feel up to the task, or where the outcome is uncertain.
The first day of school, sitting an exam, speaking in front of an audience, or attending a job interview are all situations in which most people feel some anxiety.
For people with anxiety disorders however, anxious thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms are severe, upsetting, frequent, and interrupt daily life.
There are different types of anxiety disorders:

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by persistent and excessive worry, often about daily situations like work, family or health. This worry is difficult to control and interferes with the person’s day-to-day life and relationships.
Specific phobia involves extreme anxiety and fear of particular objects or situations. Common phobias include fear of flying, fear of spiders and other animals, and fear of injections.

Panic disorder is characterised by the experience of repeated and unexpected panic attacks – sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. In panic disorder, these panic attacks come ‘out of the blue’ with no apparent trigger.

Agoraphobia involves intense anxiety in situations and places where the person feels it would be difficult for them to get out quickly or get help if needed. This includes situations such as using public transport, being in a lift or a cinema, standing in a queue, being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) presents in people as recurring, persistent and distressing thoughts, images or impulses known as obsessions (e.g., a fear of catching germs), or feeling compelled to carry out certain repetitive behaviours, rituals or mental acts, known as compulsions (e.g., handwashing). Some people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions. These thoughts and behaviours can take over a person’s life and, while people with OCD usually know that their obsessions and compulsions are an overreaction, they feel they are unable to stop them.

Social anxiety disorder is characterised by severe anxiety about being criticised or viewed negatively by others. This leads the person to avoid social events and other social situations for fear of doing something that leads to embarrassment or humiliation.

How do I know if I or a loved one has anxiety?

Symptoms of anxiety include:

Attending appointments with our Thinking Families professionals can be very helpful in providing support and comfort while giving you a chance to speak about the effects that anxiety has on you.

It is important to not place blame, or a become angry or frustrated when anxiety strikes. Our practice provides the caring and supportive environment you need to express your inner frustrations, without rushing your own healing process.

How we can help you

We have created unique strategies for working with and supporting bright and busy minds in managing anxiety while encouraging calm problem solving.

Our team is highly knowledgeable in the development of growth and mental health and can help show you how to manage and overcome the anxiety that is controlling your everyday life.