What is anxiety?

If you've ever sat an exam or given a speech in public, it's more than likely that you've experienced anxiety. Although feeling anxious is not a pleasant experience, at times such as these it's quite a normal response to a situation in which we feel out of our comfort zone. Some anxiety actually helps us to perform better.

However, it's when it becomes a part of everyday life, or when it's so elevated that it's a hindrance rather than a help, that anxiety becomes a real problem.

When you feel anxious, you're likely to notice:

• a general sense of unease
• an elevated heart rate
• muscle tension
• clenched jaw
• shallow or fast breathing
• trembling, shaking
• fidgeting
• mind going 'blank'
• sleep disturbance
• excessive worry

Two defining characteristics of anxiety, particularly in comparison to depression, are:

• many symptoms are felt in the body and are centred around physical tension
• anxiety is future-orientated ie anxiety is based on our perceptions of a future event

What causes anxiety?

Like depression, there is not one specific cause of anxiety. There is increasing evidence that some of us are borne with a tendency to be uptight, tense and anxious. Added to this will be the environment in which we grew up. This means that both 'nature' and 'nurture' contribute to our anxiety.

The type of events that may cause you anxiety in your life may include:

• any major life change eg new job, new relationship, new home
• relationship problems - family, partner, friends, colleagues
• experiencing an emotional shock
• experiencing any form of abuse
• experiencing someone being unkind, rude, angry
• public speaking
• sitting an exam or other form of 'test'
• situations in which you don't feel in control

What can I do about it?

There are some very effective skills you can learn to help manage anxiety. A big difference between depression and anxiety is that you can live a life without getting depressed again, but anxiety is in our make-up and needs to be managed rather than eradicated.

Although there are medications you can take if you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, usually working with a counsellor/therapist will be the best way to help you with your anxiety.

My approach to working with people with anxiety is to:

• uncover your anxiety patterns
• help you understand the feelings and experience of anxiety
• find the best anxiety management techniques that work for you

If you'd like to talk to me more about my approach, or book an initial appointment, please contact Victoria