Anxiety is a normal response to many different life events and experiences, such as sitting an exam or giving a presentation. But persistent or intense anxiety that interferes with daily life suggests an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety symptoms include persistent worry, an inability to relax, restlessness, and problems concentrating. Living with anxiety can also cause physical issues, such as fatigue, muscle aches, sweating, and stomach problems.

Thankfully, anxiety is highly treatable. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start to feel better.

 

How Can Counselling Help me Deal with Anxiety?

Counselling and psychotherapy is typically the first line of treatment for anxiety, especially for people with mild to moderate symptoms.

At Vive Counselling in Ennis or online via Zoom, I help clients to understand and manage anxiety symptoms through research-based interventions. As a result, you can learn to change how you view and respond to anxiety triggers.

You will also be encouraged to face your fears in a gradual and supported way, so that anxiety stops having such a hold over you. Several relaxation techniques and lifestyle changes are also very helpful for those with anxiety.

Therapies and tools I use include:

– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
– Exposure therapy
– Mindfulness and meditation
– Muscle- and breathing-based exercises
– Dietary changes, with a focus on specific nutrients

Do I Have Anxiety?

You may have anxiety if you experience:

– Persistent worry that is out of proportion to the triggering event
– An inability to relax or let go of a worry, even for a short while
– Feeling restless or on edge
– Lack of concentration
– Fear of making decisions, in case it is the “wrong” decision
– Difficulty dealing with uncertainty

Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms, such as:

– Being easily startled
– Fatigue
– Irritability
– Muscle pain or twitching
– Sleep problems
– Excessive sweating
– Stomach upset
– Headaches

Anxiety symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe. They may build up over minutes, hours, or days. Severe anxiety can cause anxiety (panic) attacks.

If you think you have anxiety, consider counselling and psychotherapy to help you to manage its symptoms and conquer your fears.

To see other issues I can help with, click here.