Most people will experience anxiety from time to time. It’s a common feeling associated with challenging moments or stressful times in our lives such as before an important exam, when moving home or during a stressful period at work. When feelings of anxiety become overwhelming however, is it time to look for counselling, and how can it help? Hello, my name is Louise and I am a qualified therapist working in the West Midlands. If you are struggling with your feelings and looking for anxiety counselling in Walsall or Wolverhampton, please get in touch.
Counselling sessions available from £50.00. Please call 07824 385338 or Contact me to find out more and make an appointment.
What is anxiety?
As individuals we approach and deal with stressful situations in different ways. This is based on our own skill set, life experience and our innate resilience. Some people find it more difficult to control these feelings however and are unable to rid themselves of a lingering sense of dread, foreboding or unease. Sometimes these emotions become all-consuming and can be identified as a recognisable anxiety disorder. This is defined as the point at which your anxiety begins to far outweigh the situation, or impedes your chances of functioning normally.
What triggers anxiety?
Quite often anxiety is brought about stressful situations. In some circumstances, it can be useful, making us pay greater attention to potentially threatening or hazardous situations, but it can also be destructive and unwanted. If it was linked to a specific event, you might know what caused your anxiety, and this might give a way into treatment. If there was no obvious or single cause however, situations that trigger your anxiety will be less clear. In turn, this might make your anxiety worse, because you might think there’s no way to stop these feelings increasing. Anxiety may also be the result of multiple combining factors such as psychological development, environmental influences and even family history. Again, you might find it difficult to cope because there’s no obvious trigger or reason behind your feelings.
Symptoms of anxiety
The NHS web site lists the physical symptoms associated with generalised anxiety disorder. These include shortness of breath, tension and a fast or irregular heartbeat. As these symptoms are common to many physical and psychological conditions, it is sometimes difficult to recognise anxiety.
People with anxiety might also feel sick, have a headache or find sleeping difficult. In addition, anxiety might not always manifest itself through physical symptoms. Instead, you may find it hard to cope with work tasks, which in turn might heighten your feelings of irritation and inability to cope. You may not be able to settle or find contentment in personal relationships, while you might be unable to rid yourself of emotions such as a general feeling of unease. You might avoid certain situations because they worsen these feelings, or not perform well at work or when studying. Anxiety might mean you avoid work altogether, leading to low self-esteem. It can also have a negative impact on your relationships with others.
Types of anxiety disorder
Around a third of us will experience an anxiety disorder at some time. Women are more likely to experience it than men, and it is believed to be the most common type of mental ill-health. There are different types of anxiety disorder in adults. These are recognised separately as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and phobias, such as claustrophobia and agoraphobia.
Anxiety therapy counselling and treatment
There’s no set path or progression of symptoms for people with an anxiety disorder, we all experience it differently. If anxiety is affecting your daily life however, you should seek advice from your GP, who can check there isn’t a physical reason underlying your anxiety. They might suggest engagement with a mental health professional such as a counsellor or psychotherapist. This might be the first and only intervention you need to help you better manage the condition, or it might lead to a longer term approach. Treatment via a mixture of talking therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and medication prescribed by a GP have also proved to be very effective. You could also try self-help channels such as stress reducing techniques and meditation. Remember, it is always better to check with your GP about any medication you are considering.
With growing focus on the number of people affected by mental health issues, no one needs to suffer in silence. Treatments and effective therapy are available and can really help anxiety sufferers to move on with their lives.
Are you looking for anxiety counselling in Walsall?
Getting support from a trained professional can make all the difference. If you are looking for anxiety counselling in the Walsall area, or would like to know more about seeing a therapist please Contact Me via the contact page. You can also call me on 07824 385338. I will listen to you carefully and together we will work out how to resolve the issues you are facing.