Counselling for anxiety

Counselling for anxiety can help people who experience continual and uncontrollable worry even if there is no apparent reason to worry. Can you relate?

Everybody feels anxious from time to time, in stress-inducing or dangerous situations. Still, it may not be an anxiety disorder rather a protective biological response to danger that increases your heartbeat, breathing and pumps oxygenated blood to prepare to fight or flee. That is normal! “Healthy” anxiety can persuade you to start working, meet deadlines and/or react appropriately in certain situations. However, sometimes the systems underlying our anxiety responses get dysregulated, and we overreact to situations that do not require any worry or response.

Anxiety is a feeling of excessive worry and fear. It is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as perspiration, tension, shortness of breath, and an elevated heart rate. People with anxiety find it difficult to control or suppress these feelings, which interfere significantly with their daily functioning and cause noticeable distress. Seeking counselling for anxiety such as using Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy can help individuals consider alternative views and tolerate uncertainty about the future while adapting new coping skills. 

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Getting counselling for anxiety is only useful when you understand that the signs and symptoms of anxiety are not always obvious, and they can develop slowly over time, or an event can trigger anxiety instantly. We all experience anxiety at some point in our life, but how do we know how much is too much?

Healthy anxiety is limited and connected to a stressful event or situation (i.e., starting a new job). People who have a diagnosed anxiety condition experience it more frequently and persistently without a stressor. There are several anxiety conditions, however, some common symptoms include:

Physical: Panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, racing heart, tightening of the chest, quick breathing, restlessness, or feeling tense, wound up and edgy.

Psychological: Excessive fear, worry, catastrophizing, or obsessive thinking.

Behavioural: avoidance of situations that make you feel anxious which can impact on study, work or social life

When should you worry?

  • Excessive worrying to the point you are unable to cope. Women are 60% more likely to develop an anxiety disorder than men.
  • Persistent anxiety is routinely triggered by situations that do not pose a threat.

What are the four common types of anxiety?

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
counselling for anxiety

Are you anxious or stressed?

Stress can cause physical and emotional symptoms which can go unnoticed. Look out for the warning signs and seek counselling for anxiety if you experience the symptoms listed below:

    • Diarrhoea or constipation
    • Forgetfulness
    • Frequent aches and pains
    • Headaches
    • Lack of energy or focus
    • Sexual problems
    • Stiff jaw or neck
    • Tiredness
    • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
    • Upset stomach
    • Use of alcohol or drugs to relax
    • Weight loss or gain

 

 

Treatments for Anxiety

  • Lifestyle changes: Skip caffeine, reduce vigorous exercise and avoid substances that may cause anxiety symptoms.
  • Self-Help: Includes affirmations, attend social events, and record yourself disproving negative assumptions. Engage in supportive listening and go easy on yourself!
  • Mind-body approaches: Engage in meditating, mindfulness, deep breathing, and techniques to relieve muscle tension.
  • Medicine: Your psychiatrist may prescribe you low doses of benzodiazepines and/or antidepressants to lower anxiety symptoms.
  • Counselling for Anxiety(psychotherapy)

    1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) 
    2. Behavioural Therapy (BT)
    3. Psychoeducation 
    4. Specialised residential treatment 
    5. Trauma-focused therapy

 

At Halycon we believe it’s important to address your concerns around mental health. Read more on anxiety here or book a session to discover how counselling for anxiety can help you. 

About Halcyon Counselling

At Halcyon, we are experienced in providing counselling for anxiety. We are empathetic and aware of individual differences such as external/internal factors contributing to excessive fear which turns into anxiety or a panic attack. You do not have to live with anxiety and experience a low-quality life. Let’s talk and identify the cause of distress and figure out solutions to improve your life!

If you are experiencing anxiety, you know what it feels like to be overwhelmed and exhausted all the time. Living with anxiety is draining and has a huge impact on quality of life. When anxiety hits, resilience seems to crumble and everything around you feels too hard which kicks you into overdrive harming your professional and personal life.

Halcyon works with everyone who yearns to be as successful in their personal lives as they are in their careers. Get in touch with your best self, and discover more peaceful, tender, and enjoyable ways to connect. Create that space for yourself today with Halcyon’s registered counsellors.

"We provide counselling in a supportive environment, encouraging change at a pace that feels right for you"