Anxiety can be described as having irrational fears and excessive worry. Physically, our hearts beat faster, our chest feels tighter, and it’s a struggle to control our racing thoughts. This is because our bodies our gearing up to address an immediate physical threat (rather than a psychological threat we have created with our minds).
If left unmanaged it can lead to physical health problems like inflammation and heart disease, panic attacks and avoidance of situations, events and people as that’s what helps keep the anxiety at bay. However, quality of life diminishes as we learn to avoid things that causes us anxiety. It should be no surprise then that depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. But what if instead of avoiding situations, you had the confidence and tools to address the anxiety provoking situations?
In counselling, we will work together to find the source of these irrational fears and begin to challenge them head on. By identifying the negative thoughts patterns and beliefs driving these fears, you will gain back a sense of control over your thoughts and body’s natural response to them. You will learn healthier and more adaptive ways of thinking and have the tools to relax yourself when you feel your anxiety creeping in.
