Anxiety and Stress Management

Anxiety and Stress Management

There are many different types of anxiety. It is also worth noting that any of these forms of anxiety can also result in subsequent depression.

Existential Anxiety

Existential Anxiety involves a chronic state of discomfort and fear concerning the big issues of life such as sense of meaning, freedom, and death.

This is the kind of anxiety which I suffered with for many years.

However, I can honestly say that I no longer suffer from this kind of anxiety at all – so no matter how dark things may feel, there IS hope.

I know the techniques and approaches which helped me so much – but each of us is different.

Together we can explore how I can help you find the things which work for you.

High Functioning Anxiety (HFA)

Whilst it is not an official diagnosis the term, High Functioning Anxiety and is one of the most invisible anxiety disorders.  

However, It is something many people identify with.

You are busy but in control with an endless' To Do' list. You seem to function successfully to others, but inside you may be experiencing worry, stress or obsessive thoughts.

You may have perfectionist tendencies and overthink things

Or you may procrastinate or put everyone’s needs above your own.

With this kind of anxiety many people go about their lives as if nothing is wrong and continue to function, whilst all the time feeling anxious inside.

Relationship Anxiety

Relationship Anxiety is something many people suffer from, often regardless of the nature or quality of the relationship.

Fear of commitment and vulnerability, self sabotaging behaviours, inability to express our needs and desires, lack of trust, or obsessive thoughts around the relationship are just some of the symptoms people may experience.

Learning to make peace with oneself, and recognise and appreciate our own unique qualities, helps an individual to respond to others with more confidence and sense of proportion.

When the relationship we have with ourselves is more balanced and relaxed, and we learn to value ourselves more, this will inevitably have a knock-on effect in our relationships with others.

We can learn to express ourselves and our needs with greater clarity, calmness and confidence – and as we learn to respect ourselves we automatically command greater respect from others.

These interpersonal skills can enhance all of the different kinds of relationships in our lives as well as any intimate relationships we might have.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a long-term condition that causes anxiety about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event. 

People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety means you may experience extreme fear or anxiety triggered by social situations, such as parties, workplaces, when meeting new people or starting conversations. You may worry about doing something you think is embarrassing such as blushing, sweating.

Social Anxiety is becoming ever more prevalent as society moves more and more towards an ‘online’ culture, where people are turning to technology as a way of avoiding the complexities of human relationships.

Those of us, who by our very nature, may be introverted, may be find the pressure of Social Media increasingly intrusive – whilst issues concerning our self esteem, mental health and general well-being are now at pandemic levels.

Since the COVID Outbreak, many people – and especially younger people, have found it difficult to integrate back into society, and have retreated into a virtual world – which whilst it may initially feel safer, creates it’s own issues, including the loss of learning and development often associated with the joys and the potential challenges associated with ‘in person’ relationships.

Techno-Stress

Techno-Stress has been defined as the negative psychological link between people and the constant influx of new technologies.

People may feel overwhelmed - that they cannot adapt or cope or ‘switch off’.

They may feel compulsive about being connected and sharing constant updates, feel forced to respond to emails and messages, which may be work or study related, or social 24/7.

They may feel under increasing time pressure and pressure to multi-task – and feel unable to have ‘down time’ for sustained and creative thinking and action.

Panic Attacks

Panic Attacks are when your body experiences a rush of intense mental and physical symptoms. It can come on very quickly and for no apparent reason and although they are not dangerous they can be very frightening and distressing.

Performance Anxiety

If you dread the thought of getting up in front of a group of people and performing you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from performance anxiety, commonly called ‘stage fright’. Athletes, musicians, actors and public speakers often get performance anxiety.

CBT based Clinical Hypnotherapy and NLP can be particularly helpful in overcoming these issues.