Anxiety treatment and therapy

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Stress and Post-traumatic Stress treatment and therapy

Written by Dr.Deyn on 28 June 2016, last reviewed and updated on 22 July 2022

Anxiety treatment and therapy

Anxiety disorders are prevalent, affecting around 6% of the population with some form of mental anxiety.

Experiencing anxiety often involves a persistent sense of worry, overthinking, stress, and fear of judgment. It can strike anyone without any apparent reason, and the ongoing sense of apprehension and nervousness tends to intensify over time. At times, the urge to break down and cry can become overwhelming.

Anxiety can sometimes mimic symptoms of ADHD, leading to restlessness and difficulty concentrating. The constant feeling of unease and dread upon waking can trigger a fight or flight response, making daily functioning challenging. This neurosis, characterized by intense feelings of fear or anxiety, can arise from trivial matters and may even lead to irrational thoughts, such as the desire to quit one’s job or thoughts of self-harm.

Anxiety has the potential to disrupt our lives significantly, negatively impacting work performance and personal relationships, leaving individuals feeling frustrated and yearning for relief.

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Anxiety: What’s Normal and What Isn’t

Feeling anxious in certain situations is a normal response. When the stakes are high and performance is essential, anxiety can help prepare our bodies for action.

However, if anxiety lasts for a long time and interferes with your daily life, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders can significantly impact both mental and physical health, but they can be managed effectively with the support of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder / O.C.D - When a person has repeating, distressing and intrusive thoughts of images and urges to perform certain actions or rituals over and over, this person may have OCD. In general, such a person knows that these actions are not rational but still has trouble stopping the behavior. Their excessive fears of things that are otherwise minor cause them to repeatedly take precautionary or salutatory measures to that end. Washing hands repeatedly for fear of infections, and constantly checking that the door is locked when going out for fear of burglary are some examples of OCD behavior.
Panic Disorder/Anxiety attacks/panic attacks This type of anxiety disorder is used to describe a person who experiences random panic attacks in day-to-day life without any apparent cause or triggers. A panic attack can consist of sweatiness, chest pains, severely elevated heartbeat, choking or symptoms that feel like a heart attack, difficulty breathing, wet palms, and trembling of the body.
Specific phobias When a person experiences extreme fear of a particular stimulus or situation, we call this a phobia. Flying, blood, spiders, germs and snakes are examples of phobias that are commonly experienced. When facing their phobias, people will tend to freeze up; experience severe tremors; have a racing and pounding heart; and have rapid, shallow breathing.
PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder Victims of an extreme situation – the death of a loved one, diagnosed with cancer, domestic violent, combat, child abuse, rape or natural disasters – may develop PTSD. People with this type of anxiety disorder tend to be excessively vigilant, experience flashbacks of the extreme events, see everything as threats, experience excessive anger, and may have sleep problems.
Social anxiety - fear of public speaking, Inability to express ideas to a group. Social anxiety disorder is also known as social phobia. People with this disorder are fearful of social situations in which they might feel embarrassed or judged. They typically feel nervous spending time in social settings, feel self-conscious in front of others, and worry about being rejected by or offending others. Other common symptoms include having a hard time making friends, avoiding social situations, worrying for days before a social event, and feeling shaky, sweaty, or nauseous when spending time in a social setting.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) A person with this type of anxiety disorder has excessive worries about everyday matters for a long period (typically 6 months or more). Some other symptoms of GAD include restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbances. Such a person may also have trouble making commitments, and find it tough to decide on day-to-day matters.
Separation anxiety disorder - Fear of losing someone or being alone.

19 Signs You Have Anxiety

Fast heartbeat / Heart palpitations/breathing becomes faster
Chest pain and tightness / Difficulty breathing / Shortness of breath
Panic attacks feel like a heart attack or stroke
Nausea / Feel like throwing up / Dry retching
Sweaty palms / Hands trembling / Body shaking / Tingling sensations
Can’t concentrate / Mind goes numb / Paralysed
Phobias - fear of crowded places, presentations, dirt and germs
Worrying about what others think / Feeling judged
Dizzy / Losing Control / Blackout and faint
Need to micro-manage everything
Feeling Helpless / Hopeless
Worry/ Scared of the future / Sense of dread
Constantly nervous / Restless / Can’t sit still
Overwhelmed / Breakdown and cry
Chronic overthinking / Mind constantly active worrying about health, work. situations or certain people
Poor sleep / Night sweats
Feeling tense / Muscle tightness / Eye and facial twitches / Hot flushes
Self-doubt / Low self-confidence / Feel like you are failing
Gastric reflux / IBS / Stomach ache / Ulcers

Common Causes of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are generally caused by any combination of the following factors:

Biological Causes

A person has chemical imbalances in the body, typically an excess of cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone).

Genes

The family tree of the anxious person is full of similar cases.

Upbringing

Being exposed to traumatic or stressful situations in their early years may cause people to experience anxiety when presented with similar situations.

Common triggers for Anxiety

Stress from heavy workloads, tight deadlines, uncertainties at work
Health worries
Difficult colleague or boss who makes us feel scared to go to work
Toxic work environment
The burden of aging parents or in-laws that are just plain toxic
Worry about our children’s health and how they are performing in school
Job insecurity as we are not doing well in our job and worry about the future
Worry about how others think of us
Trauma from being bullied, abused or molested

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How to Cope with Anxiety

Avoidance You find yourself avoiding situations that in the past triggered uncomfortable feelings and panic attacks.
Distraction Social media, gaming, Netflix and YouTube. Binging on videos and occupying the mind somehow makes you feel more at ease.
Alcohol and Drugs Drinking numbs the feelings and helps us forget
Food Over-eating gives you a sense of comfort

Coping with anxiety is tiring and frustrating. Sometimes you might feel so depressed that you just want it all to end. The good news is that the right Counsellor can help

How to deal with anxiety

Even without medication, we can undertake some of these stress-busting activities to stay calm in the face of anxiety or stress:

Step back from the stressful situation.
Take care of our diet.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine.
Sleep well.
Exercise frequently.
Breathe deeply.
Count slowly.
Commit to action.
Make light of the situation.
Stay positive.
Talk to a friend.

If taking these steps doesn’t seem to help your symptoms, you should seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor for help in treating your anxiety.

Link between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety is closely associated with depression, as repeated unsuccessful attempts to cope with and avoid anxiety can lead to dysthymia or depression.

The long-term consequences of anxiety can include poor health, disrupted sleep, heightened stress, and depression. Many individuals who suffer from anxiety for an extended period rely on medication. This can be concerning, as thoughts of potential side effects may leave you feeling uneasy. However, in some cases, medication is necessary to reduce anxiety to a manageable level, enabling individuals to seek counseling and therapy.

It’s crucial to understand that you don’t have to feel powerless or hopeless due to anxiety, stress, or insomnia. Many others share your experience. With the appropriate therapy, anxiety can be alleviated, and in many instances, the symptoms can be completely overcome.

Getting Medicated for Anxiety

Unfortunately, no medication completely cures anxiety or depression. Most medications are designed to alleviate nervous feelings and improve sleep quality. However, these medications can sometimes lead to side effects, such as headaches and increased anxiety.

Relapse rates for anxiety when relying solely on medication are quite high, which is why many individuals choose to pursue counseling to address the underlying causes of their anxiety.

How to help someone with Anxiety

What should you do if someone you know is experiencing anxiety? The first step is to recognize the signs of anxiety and encourage them to seek professional assistance.

Anxiety can significantly impact a person's life. They may feel so anxious and afraid of crowded environments that they choose to avoid restaurants or even miss out on vacations due to worries about being trapped on an airplane without an escape. If you've asked a loved one if they need help and they've responded with "No," what should you do next?

Keep reaching out. Often, the individual has been attempting to manage their anxiety but may feel overwhelmed and discouraged, potentially leading to depression. However, during depressive episodes, there may be moments when they actively seek solutions and are open to receiving help.

Various factors can contribute to anxiety, including academic or work-related pressures, past trauma, abuse, or bullying. A qualified counselor must address the underlying issues.

The most effective way to assist is by doing what you're currently doing: looking for the right counselor for your loved one. As you explore potential counselors, encourage them to consider counseling. Help boost their confidence by sharing recent client reviews or video testimonials. Continue to support and motivate them to seek help, and over time, they may become more receptive to the idea.

Anxiety and Depression Counselling and Therapy

Anxiety & Depression Counselling and Therapy can help many people suffering from anxiety feel safe. With appropriate therapy, anxiety attacks that used to happen frequently and intensely can occur less often and become much less severe.

A significant number of clients at PULSE have successfully overcome their anxiety, leading to a newfound freedom from anxious feelings and panic attacks, enabling them to reach their full potential.