Anxiety
The term ‘anxiety’ refers to anticipation of a future concern and is mostly associated with muscle tension and avoidance behavior.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can even be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention.
Anxiety disorders, however, differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness, and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives.
Anxiety disorders can cause you to avoid situations that trigger or worsen the symptoms. Job performance, school work and personal relationships can be affected.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.
Common signs and symptoms that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder include:
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Having an increased heart rate
- Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
- Having trouble sleeping
- Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Having difficulty controlling worry
- Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
- Impaired performance at work or avoiding going to work
- A break down in relationships (both personally and professionally)
Your worries may not go away on their own, and may actually get worse over time if you don’t seek help.
All types of anxiety disorders, with the right professional care and support, are treatable.
Our professional team of counsellors and therapists have years of experience assisting those with anxiety to overcome their disorders. Treatment helps most people to return to normal, productive and happier living.