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ABOUT ANXIETY

Anxiety has a positive role to play.

Anxiety that arises in connection with a future event such as an exam or a social event can aid us by activating adreniline so that we are mobilised to make the necessary preparations to ensure everything goes well

If there is too much anxiety though, then that is when some therapeutic intervention may be able to offer some coping mechanisms.

Anxiety can arise when external pressure starts to bear on a situation, e.g. I have to perform to a very high standard, or unrealistic social pressure that exists today that say I have to be seen as an outgoing and fun person. The higher the imagined or real expectation, the higher the anxiety is likely to be. These pressures can also be internal when we put the pressure on ourselves. Fear can intensify the pressure we put on ourselves, e.g. if there have been multiple job losses at our workplace and we fear for our job security, or if we experienced social groups as judgmental and excluding in the past so joining a new group feels difficult now.

Roots of really debilitating anxiety can lie in a particular life situation which, at the time, seemed unmanageable and where the response was to become overly concerned, worried or agitated. It may have become stuck in our system because the activation was met with no release. The adreniline was pumping but we were not in a position to follow through with the necessary action. Past experiences like these can reinforce negative beliefs about our ability to self-manage. Working together we can start to shake this loose by exploring alternative responses and coping strategies

Signs of anxiety manifest as tension in the body include tightness in the chest, tension in the throat (sometimes resulting in a change to the voice), stomach knots, feeling restless, irritability, having trouble relaxing or insomnia. More extreme signs include shortness of breath (dyspnoea), fast heartbeat (tachycardia), trembling and shaking, excessive perspiration and a feeling as if we are out of control.

Anxiety can take various forms, some of which are:

  • general anxiety which may be present most of the time
  • social anxiety where there is fear about an impending social situation or public performance
  • separation anxiety where the fear is of being separated from people to whom we are attached.
  • panic attacks where sharp fear overwhelms us in a short space of time
  • agoraphobia where there is a fear is about being outside in public and can manifest in various unique ways.
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CAUSES OF ANXIETY

The causes of anxiety are too numerous to mention. All manner of life situations can provoke anxiety. Some common factors that may exacerbate our anxiety though include having a quiet temperament in childhood, exposure to a stressful or traumatic situation, event or circumstance, the presence of anxiety in the family, or a health condition such as over-active thyroid. Anxiety can also be induced physically via drugs such as caffeine, medication, alcohol or cannabis.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO ANXIETY

Therapy for anxiety involves gaining a fuller understanding of our anxiety “landscape”. We can explore elements of the anxiety such as when and where it manifests in our present day living, when it first began, what was happening at that time, what triggers its onset, what makes it worse and what makes it better, and what is happening in the body when we are in particular situations. Understanding the purpose of the anxiety, recognising the difference between productive and unproductive thoughts, assessing the reality of negative thoughts, examining our self-talk, challenging our beliefs and fears, and finding ways to let go of worries and solve problems can all help. Breathing techniques, relaxation exercises and coming into sensory experience can ameliorate the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Various approaches may be drawn upon as the unique anxiety picture demands including:

  • Narrative therapy which involves gaining an understanding of our life story with a view to highlighting strengths and incidents of resilience in the past
  • Interpersonal therapy where our current relationships, with ourself, others and the therapist, are used as a means to focus in on the ways in which we connect and communicate
  • Behaviour therapy which explores how we might change our behaviour to manage our anxiety such as giving ourself permission to leave a situation or challenging ourselves to engage in a particular social activity
  • Mindfulness where being present to what is happening in the moment can provide support with mood regulation
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) involves observation of our thinking patterns and actions as the basis for challenging negative unhelpful thoughts and establishing new thinking patterns
  • Medication may be used in cases of severe anxiety. Psychotherapeutic work can take place alongside this but the medication part is managed by the doctor or GP.

POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

“

I've been attending sessions with Jane on and off for a few years now and have found her to be really supportive and helpful during this time. Jane helped me through some very tough times and her compassionate and non-judgmental attitude has allowed me to feel more comfortable in myself when I'm out in the world. She is a very calming and understanding person and it is so nice to have the space she creates each week to go to where I can feel accepted and supported

Client J
“

I have attended regular sessions with Jane for the past one and a half years. Jane has a very calm and considered approach. She has guided me back to a place of peace. Jane is experienced and shares many options to help and guide. I am very grateful that I was assigned Jane and plan to continue to attend going forward.

Client G
“

Jane is exactly the therapist I hoped to be able to work with. She is knowledgeable and insightful and has a lovely manner and great sense of humour. I have hope now, where I didn’t before seeing her. I feel heard and validated. I also feel I am being asked truly meaningful and helpful questions, which heighten my self-awareness and reflexiveness, and that I am being offered a wide range of strategies for exploring problems and solutions.

Client T

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