Anxiety Therapy
Is anxiety taking over your life..........?
Are you lying awake at night, overthinking everything, feeling stressed and irritable? Worrying about the future or going over and over something from the past. Perhaps you ‘jump out of your skin’ when something unexpected happens.
You might notice a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, trembling, or an upset stomach. Maybe your sleep, appetite and mood are affected.
You could be noticing tense and painful muscles, jaw ache from gritting your teeth and unexplained headaches. Perhaps you’ve developed panic attacks..
Anxiety can impact your relationships and restrict your social life. Perhaps work has become too daunting and you just dread another day of feeling unable to manage - feeling completely stressed and also feeling exhausted.
Maybe you feel irritable or on edge with loved ones, or constantly seek reassurance, which can place a strain on your relationships. Simple daily activities, such as shopping or using public transport, can become daunting challenges, leading to a shrinking world and a loss of enjoyment in life.
You might have tried things to help – maybe distraction, or avoiding difficult situations or tried ways to help you feel safer such as cleaning, setting rigid routines, or developing rituals.
Or perhaps the way you have managed your anxiety has led to much worse problems…
Anxiety and Addiction
Anxiety and addiction often work hand-in-hand. Of course, we look for ways to relieve the discomfort of anxiety. Alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, pornography, spending, internet overuse, all do a very good job of relieving anxiety because they each create a very quick change in how we feel – so of course, we use them again. They also act on the ‘reward centre’ in our brain so we can’t help but enjoy the initial feeling they give us. But of course the effect wears off and we are left with both the consequences of our behaviour and the impact in the brain of the dip in reward chemicals, which can both lead to further anxiety.
Anxiety and ADHD
Many people with ADHD also experience anxiety. Anxiety can make it harder to manage ADHD, for example making concentrating even more difficult. ADHD symptoms, like impulsivity or disorganization, that can make life difficult to manage, also fuel worry and anxiety. So a whole feedback loop is established. Additionally, processes in the brain that are affected by ADHD are also involved in the regulation of anxiety.
Can talking about my anxiety really help....?
Psychological therapy is proven to be a highly effective intervention for anxiety. Therapy offers a structured, supportive environment to tackle anxiety differently. While managing the immediate effects of anxiety can feel, and be, helpful, therapy also helps you to explore and understand why you are feeling anxious. This could involve looking at past experiences, learned behaviours, and core beliefs that are fuelling your anxiety. By addressing the roots, you can achieve more profound and lasting change, rather than simply "papering over the cracks." Addressing the challenges of addiction and/or ADHD alongside resolving your anxiety will start to get you back to feeling in charge of your life.
Wondering about medication?
For some individuals, medication can also be a helpful tool. It can be used on its own or, often most effectively, alongside therapy. Medication can help to reduce the intensity of physical symptoms and sensations, making it easier to engage with and benefit from the psychological work being done in therapy. The decision to use medication is a personal one and should be discussed with your GP .
Making it Manageable by starting with Online Therapy
For many, the thought of starting therapy can be intimidating. Online therapy offers a valuable and accessible first step. It allows you to engage with a professional from the comfort and privacy of your own home, removing barriers like travel time and social anxiety associated with visiting a clinic. This convenience and control can make it feel much easier to reach out for support and begin your journey towards managing anxiety effectively.