YAW therapy
Am I anxious?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress and is something most people experience at different points in their lives. You may have noticed physical signs like sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat, or a fluttering feeling in your stomach when faced with an uncertain situation. These reactions are completely normal. However, if you find that anxiety is starting to interfere with your ability to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, it may be time to speak with a professional who can help you manage and help you understand these feelings.
If you feel anxious about many different things all the time, it’s possible that you may be experiencing Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
What are the signs of GAD?
The main symptom of GAD is persistent feelings of stress or worry that interfere with your daily life and are difficult to control. Other common symptoms of GAD include:
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Difficulty sleeping
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Restlessness, irritability, or trouble concentrating
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Fatigue or feeling tired easily
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Muscle tension
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Stomach problems
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Unusual or noticeable heart palpitations
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Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
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Low mood or depression
It’s also important to know that there are other types of anxiety disorders, and it’s not uncommon to experience more than one simultaneously. For example:
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Sudden, intense bouts of anxiety and panic (Panic Disorder)
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An overwhelming fear of specific objects or situations (Phobias)
In my years of working with clients, many have reached out to me because their anxiety was affecting their quality of life. Through our work together, we’ve been able to uncover their triggers and develop personalised strategies for managing and overcoming those feelings. If anxiety is holding you back, you don’t have to face it alone.
What could be causing anxiety?
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Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence, adulthood
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Unresolved trauma
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Physical health problems – living with a serious, ongoing or life-threatening physical health condition can sometimes trigger anxiety.
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Other mental health problems – it's also common to develop anxiety while living with other mental health problems, such as depression.
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Side affect of medication (psychiatric, for health conditions or recreational drugs)
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Exhaustion or a build-up of stress
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Lots of change or uncertainty
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Feeling under pressure while studying or in work
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Long working hours
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Financial problems
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Housing problems and homelessness
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Worrying about the environment or natural disasters (sometimes called climate anxiety or eco-anxiety)
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Losing someone close to you
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Feeling lonely or isolated
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Being abused, bullied or harassed