Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD involves excessive worry about everyday life which can include health, work, school, social interactions and money. If you experience GAD you might find it difficult to control your worry making it hard to function.
Panic Disorder
If you experience panic disorder you might often have unexpected panic attacks which show up as episodes of intense fear. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, sweating and palpitations. The fear of panic attacks can lead to taking steps to avoid situations where they could happen.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety involves an intense fear of social situations and interactions due to a fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated. It can significantly impact work and social life leaving you isolated and lacking emotional connections with others.
Phobias
Specific phobias involve an intense fear of particular objects or situations such as heights, flying or spiders. The fear is disproportionate to the actual danger posed and can lead to avoidance behaviours.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD can develop if you have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts about what happened. You might avoid situations that could remind you of the event.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
OCD is characterised by persistent and unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours and rituals performed to alleviate anxiety. Common obsessions might involve a fear of contamination or harm which can be temporarily eased by the compulsion of excessive cleaning and hand washing.
Recognising Symptoms
Excessive worry: Persistent worry or fear that is hard to control
Physical symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches or stomach issues
Sleep disturbance: Difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless and unsatisfying sleep
Irritability: Increased irritability and frustration
Avoidant behaviour: Avoiding situations or activities that trigger anxiety
How Counselling Can Help You
Counselling can offer you a valuable approach to managing anxiety by providing a structured, supportive environment for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By understanding triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and building self-awareness, you can significantly reduce your anxiety symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Counselling can be a transformative step towards healing.
Understanding Your Triggers and Patterns: Your counsellor can help you identify specific triggers and patterns that might contribute to your anxiety. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing strategies to manage them.
Developing Coping Mechanisms: Your counsellor can work with you to develop tools and techniques to help cope with anxiety symptoms. This might include ways to challenge negative thought patterns, relaxation techniques, or problem-solving skills.
Providing a Safe Space: Counselling can offer you a confidential and supportive environment to express your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This safe space allows for an honest and open discussion which can be therapeutic in itself.
Exploring Past Experiences: Sometimes anxiety can be linked to past experiences or unresolved issues. Counselling can help you explore these connections and work through any underlying trauma or emotional distress.
Building Self-Awareness: By discussing your feelings and behaviors, you can gain greater self-awareness. This understanding can lead to better self-control and the ability to manage anxiety more effectively.
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