How Counselling Helps Anxiety
Millions of people throughout the world face stress and worry. This is due to internal and external influences creating a sense of unease. It’s normal to get nervous when taking an exam, making a public speech, or going on a date with someone new. When faced with these events, nerves arrive, and there will be a moment of worry, but soon enough, calm returns. For some people, reactions can be heightened and last much longer.
When this happens, dread, fear, and worry can rise to such heights that they begin to take over life. A person who experiences this for a while will likely suffer from the ongoing impact of anxiety. In extreme cases, this can be debilitating and completely alter a person’s life.
According to the Office of National Statistics, 34% of adults experienced high anxiety levels. Of these, it was more evident in adults between the ages of 16 and 29 and women.[1]
What Is Anxiety?
Many people understand that anxiety is a mental health issue. It affects the brain, mind, and thoughts. As humans, we face stressors every day. It could be starting a new job or taking a driving test. In the face of a new stressor, a response is triggered in the body. This is known as the Flight or Fight response, and with it comes the mindset that it’s imperative to scan the environment and be aware of the danger.
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Cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones; during moments of stress, individuals experience a rushed release due to what’s happening in their minds. In terms of the physical body, a very physiological process begins, which is shown in the signs of anxiety.
What Are The Signs Of Anxiety?
There are both mental and physical signs that reveal a person is experiencing an anxious reaction.
- A racing heart/palpitations
- Chest tightness
- Tingling fingers
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Sweating
- Muscle tension (i.e. clenched jaw and tight shoulders)
- A restlessness that can feel like a “buzz.”
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Racing and/or cyclical thoughts
Different Types of Anxiety
There are different types of anxiety. Understanding them can help if you or someone you care about is experiencing it. Once you know more about the issue, you can do more to address it. The therapeutic approach of a counsellor is beneficial in this scenario; they’re highly trained to guide people around this type of mental health experience.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
The NHS defines generalised anxiety as “a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event.” [2]
This type of anxiety becomes a constant part of a person’s life. It can develop unexpectedly, even for those who might never have thought they had the disposition. Therefore, finding valuable ways to address this makes a huge difference.
“High Functioning” Anxiety
Recently, there’s been a focus on the term “high-functioning anxiety”. It’s an unhelpful term because of the suggestion in its name that there are those with anxiety who are “low functioning”.
What is meant by “high functioning”, however, is that the person with anxiety maintains a type of regularity in their lives (i.e. going to work, doing chores, taking care of the kids) while all the time experiencing signs of anxiety. They might refuse to acknowledge or identify with the feelings of anxiety as they view it as a sign of “weakness”. In this case, it can present a little differently. People might come across as “ultra-efficient”, organised, and independent; they might push away others and feel a constant restlessness. Eventually, it’s likely depression will develop.
Panic
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety where the individual experiences a period of extreme worry. There is a rush of mental and physical responses, sometimes coming from nowhere. These tend to last anywhere from five to twenty minutes. When a person has a panic attack, they might have the following signs:
- Feeling as though they can’t breathe
- Feeling dizzy and faint
- Sweating
- Tingling or numbness (often in the fingers)
- A racing heart/palpitations and/or chest pain
- Fluctuations in temperature
- Trembling
- Nausea
- A feeling of overwhelming fear or dread
Other Types of Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A person will experience various types of flashbacks, whether it be through visuals, nightmares, or sensations in the body. Concentration is often difficult, and insomnia is commonly present as well.
- Social Anxiety: A long-term condition where overwhelming fear of social situations prevents a person from participating in everyday activities. It can lead to panic attacks and prevent people from leaving their homes in the most challenging circumstances.
- Phobias: When a person experiences overwhelming fear of specific objects, places, situations, animals, etc.
How Counselling Helps Anxiety
Anxiety severely impacts a person’s mental and emotional well-being. Therapy provides a safe and relaxed space where worry and anxiety are reduced. In counselling sessions, individuals are encouraged to explore their thoughts and feelings. With a compassionate and experienced therapist, they can identify and understand the causes of anxiety and find new ways of thinking and being. This leads to improved well-being and a more relaxed life.
- About the Author
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Co-founder and director of Leone Centre, 20+ years of experience supporting people, and offering valuable knowledge through Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the financial sector.