COVID-19 has affected all our lives adversely. Here at ICL Psychotherapy we have resolved to keeping our clients and staff safe in line with the Minister of Healths guidelines and recommendations. We are still seeing clients online or by telephone until further notice.

Regulated by:

THERAPY FOR ANXIETY

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Everyone experiences symptoms of anxiety, but they are generally occasional and short-lived, and do not cause problems. But when the cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms of anxiety are persistent and severe, and anxiety causes distress in a person’s life to the point that it negatively affects his or her ability to work or study, socialize and manage daily tasks, it may be beyond the normal range.

The main categories of anxiety disorders are:

specific phobia
panic disorder
agoraphobia
generalized anxiety disorder
social anxiety disorder
selective mutism
separation anxiety disorder.

People with anxiety disorders may feel anxious most of the time or for brief intense episodes, which may occur for no apparent reason. They may have anxious feelings that are so uncomfortable that they avoid daily routines and activities that might cause these feelings. Some people have occasional anxiety attacks so intense that they are terrified or immobilized.

People with anxiety disorders are usually aware of the irrational and excessive nature of their fears. When they come for treatment, many say, “I know my fears are unreasonable, but I just can’t seem to stop them.”

What is Involved with Anxiety Therapy

Several factors determine whether the anxiety warrants the attention of mental health professionals, including:

the degree of distress caused by the anxiety symptoms
the extent to which the anxiety symptoms affect the person’s ability to work or study, socialize and manage daily tasks
the context in which the anxiety occurs.

Many psychotherapy treatments, such as relaxation training, meditation, biofeedback and stress management, can help with anxiety disorders.

Many people also benefit from supportive counselling or couples or family therapy. However, experts agree that the most effective form of treatment for anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Medications have also been proven effective, and many people receive CBT and medication in combination.

What Does Anxiety Therapy

(Psychotherapy) Treat

Like most mental health problems, anxiety disorders appear to be caused by a combination of biological factors, psychological factors and challenging life experiences, including:

stressful or traumatic life event
family history of anxiety disorders
childhood development issues
alcohol, medications or illegal substances
other medical or psychiatric problems.

Most anxiety disorders are distinct in some way, but they all share the same hallmark features:

irrational and excessive fear
apprehensive and tense feelings
difficulty managing daily tasks and/or distress related to these tasks.

Cognitive, behavioural and physical symptoms include:

anxious thoughts (e.g., “I’m losing control” )
anxious predictions (e.g., “I’m going to fumble my words and humiliate myself”)
anxious beliefs (e.g., “Only weak people get anxious”)
avoidance of feared situations (e.g., driving)
avoidance of activities that elicit sensations similar to those experienced when anxious (e.g., exercise)
subtle avoidances (behaviours that aim to distract the person, e.g., talking more during periods of anxiety)
safety behaviours (habits to minimize anxiety and feel “safer,” e.g., always having a cell phone on hand to call for help)
excessive physical reactions relative to the context (e.g., heart racing and feeling short of breath in response to being at the mall).

The physical symptoms of anxiety may be mistaken for symptoms of a physical illness, such as a heart attack.