We all experience times of anxiety in our lives, for example when sitting an exam or attending a job interview, or during transitional stages in our lives – these are ‘real event worries’.  Most of the time we overcome our anxious feelings and they settle down. It is natural to experience some anxiety – anxiety is a part of being alive.

Anxiety can however become worrying excessive, which can be very debilitating, particularly when it develops into a obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

About 1 in 20 people experience excessive worry  – ‘hypothetical event worry’, resulting in secondary symptoms such as phobias and sometimes depression or low mood. Very often excessive worry becomes a ‘silent problem’ like a weight being carried alone. It can get in the way, spoiling a persons’ day to day life.

Usually anxiety is about a worry that something will happen in the future, a hypothetical worry - something out of our control. Worries tend to be focus around:-

Social relationships

Financial stability

Work related

Health issues

Death

Loss of independence

And even worrying about worrying ….

Sometimes people flip flop between worrying and ruminating about past events and worrying about things that ‘might’ happen in the future – preventing  enjoyment in the present. They can feel trapped between past and future worries.

Counselling can help you manage anxious thoughts, limit the energy you give to them, and redirect your energy into the present.

It can feel a relief to tell someone who is neutral. I can help you to manage your excessive anxiety – remember it is natural to have some anxiety – we might explore together the underlying causes, we can look at strategies in cognitive process, discuss lifestyle factors such as diet, relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation, and exercise. If necessary, this can be alongside support from your GP, including medication.

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