What Are the Signs of Anxiety and How Can a Therapist Help?

Anxiety symptoms

Anxiety is characterized by a general sense of unease and/or nervousness that has a negative impact on daily life. The person feels fear and anxiety in the face of most life events and senses trepidation of an impending disaster. Even when things are going well, the sufferer believes the good times will not last. The anxiety sufferer will feel tired, irritable, have difficulty concentrating and feel unable to control situations that arise. Sometimes they become isolated by fear of not being in control of their surroundings (social anxiety).

Occasionally the anxious person seeks to escape their fear of the future by becoming overactive, even hyperactive at times, by engaging in a headlong rush which allows themselves to believe they are in control of what the future holds.

Physical symptoms

Physical symptoms are varied and numerous: sleep disorders, muscle pain, palpitations, trembling, sweaty palms, dizziness, chills, headaches or stomach aches, diarrhea or constipation, tightness in the chest, feeling of choking, knot in the stomach or throat, hyperventilation, constant urge to urinate, etc.

What causes anxiety?

There are many known causes that can trigger anxiety, including:

- a stressful situation with physical or mental exhaustion, for example chronic stress at work;

- illness or death in the family or circle of friends;

- a fragile work environment;

- a new stage of life (such as retirement, divorce, a son or daughter leaving the nest);

- hormonal changes of menopause;

- a negative mental or physical experience (physical assault, for example);

- psychological conditions such as depression or schizophrenia.

How can therapy help?

Therapy is very effective in the treatment against anxiety and stress. Therapy can help you identify your negative and irrational thoughts and fight them without feeding conscious or unconscious fears. Another important therapy which can be scary to think about away from the therapist is exposure. In exposure therapy, you are facing your fears in a protected and safe environment. With repeated exposure, you will have more control over your anxieties. Learning new ways to handle stressful situations, you will start to feel better and take over your anxiety and also your reclaim your life back.

Therapies for anxiety are varied and include a combination of psycho-dynamic, emotion focussed, and solution focused treatments. Therapy sessions are structured for each patient individually. Which is why we offer a completely free no obligation 30 minute consultation to develop a tailored program for you.

In exposure therapy, you are facing your fears in a protected and safe environment. With repeated exposure, you will have more control over your anxieties. Learning new ways to handle stressful situations, you will start to feel better and take over your anxiety and also your reclaim your life back.