Anxieties
GENERALISED ANXIETY, SOCIAL ANXIETY & PANIC
Generalised anxiety
Generalised Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of daily life, such as work, health, relationships, or finances. Unlike ordinary stress, the anxiety experienced in generalised anxiety disorder is often disproportionate to the situation and can interfere with daily functioning. People may struggle with restlessness, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, irritability, and sleep disturbances. This constant state of worry can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to relax or enjoy life. Over time, generalised anxiety disorder can lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues, further exacerbating distress.
Working together, we explore you thought patterns and develop practical coping methods to allow you to better understand and manage your stress and anxiety. CBT works by identifying negative thinking styles that contribute to excessive worry and teaching practical strategies to challenge and reframe these thoughts. It also incorporates relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills to reduce anxiety levels and promote a sense of control. Through gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, individuals learn to tolerate uncertainty and develop healthier responses to stress. By focusing on improving daily functioning and emotional resilience, CBT empowers individuals with generalised anxiety disorder to break free from the cycle of chronic worry and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.
social anxiety
Social Anxiety is characterised by an intense fear of being judged, criticised, or negatively evaluated by others. Individuals with social anxiety often worry excessively about blushing, shaking, sweating, or unintentionally embarrassing themselves in social situations. This persistent fear can make everyday interactions, such as speaking in meetings, making phone calls, or even eating in public, feel overwhelming. As a result, people with social anxiety may go to great lengths to avoid situations that trigger their fear, which can lead to isolation and difficulty forming or maintaining relationships. Over time, this avoidance can have a significant impact on education and employment, with some individuals struggling to attend school or work, and in severe cases, withdrawing entirely from social and professional life.
CBT looks at challenging negative thoughts, promoting gradual exposure to social situations, and improving confidence. CBT encourages individuals to reframe unhelpful beliefs, gradually exposing them to feared social situations in a safe and controlled way. This process, known as exposure therapy, helps reduce anxiety over time and builds confidence in social interactions. By addressing both the thoughts and behaviours associated with social anxiety, CBT provides strategies to allow individuals to engage more freely in social and professional settings, ultimately improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
panic
Panic attacks are intense episodes of sudden fear or distress, often accompanied by overwhelming physical sensations such as a racing heart, sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. These attacks can be incredibly frightening and may create a sense of losing control or even feeling as though something life-threatening is happening. Panic attacks can be triggered by specific fears, such as seeing blood in those with a blood phobia, or certain situations, like going into crowded places or shops. However, for some individuals, panic attacks seem to occur without a clear trigger, adding to the unpredictability and distress they cause. Over time, the fear of experiencing another panic attack can lead to avoidance behaviours, limiting daily activities and reducing overall quality of life.
CBT helps manage panic attacks by exploring with individuals to identify and challenge irrational thoughts and to explore reducing the frequency and intensity of attacks. Exposure techniques are often used to gradually desensitise individuals to feared situations, reducing avoidance behaviours. By breaking the cycle of fear and avoidance, CBT empowers individuals to regain confidence in their ability to manage anxiety, improving overall function and enhancing their quality of life.
cbt for anxieties:
We know that each individual will need a different therapy plan. On average CBT for social anxiety, general anxiety and panic ranges from 15-20 sessions. However, your therapist will discuss this with you during your free 15 minute consultation.
Sessions can be extended/changed from your therapy plan, depending on circumstances & reasons, but your therapist will discuss this with you and we welcome you to voice your reviews throughout therapy to ensure the appropriate number of sessions have been discussed with you.