Anxiety

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a sense of nervousness that typically displays itself through worries and fears. It is our body’s way of warning us of danger, but sometimes people can become anxious about situations that don’t cause any immediate harm physical or otherwise. Mild anxiety experienced for short periods of time is OK if we need the motivation to get work done or if we need to focus on important tasks. Anxiety becomes a problem if it is going on for too long or if it gets in the way of our daily activities.

How do I know if I am anxious?
Many people experience anxiety as a result of a change, a traumatic event, or a stressor that occurs in their life. Stress can trigger anxiety especially if it is long. You can begin to withdraw from others, have difficulty concentrating, and avoid people or situations. Some people experience panic attacks, which are episodes of intense anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms.

Other signs may include:
Anxiety can show itself through many physical symptoms, such as stomach aches, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, chest pain, and muscle tension. Some people experience nightmares, unusual thoughts, or relive negative experiences in their mind over and over.

How can seeing a Psychologist help?
Counselling with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, can help you to talk about your worries, fears, or experiences in your life that have caused you emotional pain. This treatment will help you find relationships between your life experiences and how they relate to your anxiety. In therapy, you can also learn relaxation techniques and other strategies to cope with your anxious feelings.  You can also learn to distinguish between normal and overwhelming anxiety.