East London
Mental Health

Suffering from anxiety can show itself in many ways.  Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear which can be mild to severe.  Anxiety is a natural emotional response to situations that might threaten us and we need it to stay safe.  Sometimes though it can get out of control or react when not needed. 

 

Sometimes problems with anxiety can come from a very specific source (a traumatic experience for example) but sometimes it comes from a build up of pressures and stress that seem unconnected.  Generalised Anxiety is different from Phobias as a phobia (such as fear of flying or fear of heights) will have a specific focus even if why you are phobic isn’t so clear.

 

Symptoms can include:
 

• Problems sleeping either getting to sleep or staying asleep.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Being snappy or irritable.

• Worrying about lots of different things especially about things that have not bothered you before.

• Feeling nervous or on edge sometimes in public or social situations.

• Panic like/tense feelings, shortness of breath, sweating.

 

Psychotherapy can help with Anxiety by helping you explore and talk about what is driving your fears.  This might be specific - a bereavement perhaps or general - a build up of work stress and money worries maybe.  Some medications can help with anxiety and if your day to day life is drastically affected you should contact your GP.