Anxiety

Do you feel anxious, worried, tense, maybe panicky sometimes? Complaints and concerns of anxiety and anxiousness seem to be one of the most common reasons that people seek out counselling. The feeling of anxiety can be highly disturbing and make us feel that we are very sick, or out of control.

There are many ways that anxiety is discussed in society, popular culture, and in medical environments, some of those terms might be:
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Social anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias (eg: agoraphobia, claustrophobia)
  • Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

For many, the feeling of anxiety is frustrating, painful and upsetting and it can feel like there is no way out. What is additionally confusing is that there can be both mental and physical symptoms. 

Some mental symptoms are:
  • Repeated thoughts
  • Negative thoughts about yourself and others
  • Feelings of paranoia and fear
  • Feeling constantly concerned
  • Intrusive thoughts that we can’t control
  • Thoughts of perfection (I’m never good enough)
  • Focusing on mistakes
  • Inability to concentrate
While some physical symptoms might include:
  • Panic attacks
  • A desire to fight, flight or freeze 
  • Tightness in chest or other parts of the body
  • Increased heart rate
  • Irritable bowel 
  • Nausea
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Choking sensations
  • Heavy legs
  • Changes to vision
  • Hot and cold flashes
This may eventually lead to panic attacks, inability to complete tasks or focus on getting things done, and difficulty in social situations or relationships.

Anxiety related counselling at Eagle Wellness can help you to better understand what happens to you, where it comes from, and how to start managing it early before it feels unstoppable. Clients may also come for counselling because they don’t know who else to talk to that can understand or be objective. They may be apprehensive about taking prescribed medication, or have found that it is not helping. Our counsellors will work with you to meet your goals, and to lessen the weight of anxiety.

For more information see www.anxietybc.com

This video introduces the idea of making friends with the anxiety, and living around it, as a way of better managing it’s effects:

Registered Social Worker

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