Anxiety
is a snickety little monster, an overwhelming beast, a dripping a tap or a monsoon deluge. However anxiety is affecting you, it is undoubtedly being exacerbated by the threat of covid 19. The recent riots and protests around the world against racial inequality have shown us that it is time for change. And change can be scary. Anxiety treatment is possible and there is much that you can do to lessen your symptoms and mange your anxiety so you can lead a richer, more fulfilling life.
Is covid driving your anxiety?
To say that we are living through a global crisis is not an understatement. Have you lost your job, been laid off or are you having to stay home from work? Have you seen your business tank?
Are you worrying about your children? Not only did they have to stay home from school but are you now finding yourself having to manage their interactions with others, find ways to entertain them in the house and keep them engaged and entertained whilst keeping yourself level headed?
Or have you maybe even lost a loved one to covid?
Are you worrying about the future due to climate change?
Do you have any of these signs and symptoms of anxiety:
Do you find your heart rate is elevated?
Do you have sweaty palms, or an upset stomach?
Do you become less productive? You can’t get as much done as you normally would?
Do your thoughts go round in your head like a hamster in its wheel?
Do you find yourself carrying a lot of muscle tension in your body?
Do you find your are worrying about the future? About money? Maybe a relationship that has gone awry?
Or do you find yourself obsessing over events of the past?
Do you feel like you’re not really “in” your body?
Do you feel like your on the edge of a panic attack?
Do you think you have anxiety?
If you find that you are being overwhelmed by thoughts of a fearful nature, or that you are constantly worrying, or that you can’t get a good night’s sleep, you may be suffering from anxiety.
There is a lot of uncertainty in our world right now and that can be very scary.
Firstly, know that you are absolutely not alone. According to the World Health Organisation 1 in 13 suffers from anxiety globally. I’m guessing that right now those numbers are much, much higher. It is absolutely normal to experience some anxiety under these difficult cirmcumstances. But if you don’t know how to manage it, anxiety can really undermine your well-being.
How can anxiety treatment help me?
First of all, reaching out for help is a good first step.
I establish a safe place where you can feel comfortable expressing whatever is on your mind or heart, without worrying that you will be judged. This emotional support and safety can already bring about healing in that you feel less isolated and alone in your struggle.
Tools for overcoming anxiety
I use an eclectic method to help you learn the tools for managing your anxiety and anxiety treatment.
The approaches include cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and meditation, relaxation methods, and somatic approaches to psychotherapy.
I help you to track the physical and emotional sensations in your body which accompany anxiety; I help you identify and be more aware of the thoughts which are driving the anxious feelings. Using the evidence for the truth or otherwise of these thoughts, I teach you how to undo their power over you. By associating the thoughts with the bodily sensations and the emotions which they generate, I can help you learn how to release them. You are then free to focus on staying present and experiencing life in the here and now, giving you a more embodied, centred sense of self and more capacity to live life to the full.
Managing your anxiety is a skill. Like any skill it can be learned more quickly and effectively with the presence of a skilled and experienced support. The ideal person to help you with this is a qualified, compassionate counselor.
If you would like support and are looking for a psychotherapist, please contact me for a free consultation to learn about how we can be of service.