Anxiety
Though all of us have occasional anxious moments, people who suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) experience excessive levels of anxiety, distress and tension which interferes with their capacity to live normal, happy lives. This anxiety can be continuous, and may be without apparent reason. It may include concern over events or issues unlikely to occur, and typically includes worrying about everyday aspects of living like health, money, relationships and the future. Physically, people suffering from this condition may experience interrupted sleep, muscle tension, rapid heart rate, headaches, fatigue and concentration problems, as well as an increased risk of other problems, such as depression, substance misuse and relationship difficulties.Other Anxiety- related conditions include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• PTSD can occur in people who have experienced, witnessed or been told about a severe physical or emotional crisis. People who suffer from this condition find it very difficult to put the traumatic event behind them, and often experience recurring nightmares, flashbacks and severe distress when exposed to reminders of their trauma. Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of PTSD.Performance Anxiety
• People with Performance Anxiety suffer extreme tension and apprehension in situations where they are required to perform. These situations might include public speaking and singing. Alternatively, it may be small social gatherings- even with friends that incites anxiety.Panic Disorder
• Panic Disorder involves sudden and unexpected bursts of anxiety known as panic attacks. This may involve rapid heart rate, tightness in the chest, feelings of restricted airflow or suffocation, racing thoughts, sweating, nausea, and the belief that one is losing control, will collapse or go mad. Panic Attacks may be daily and may come to be associated with particular places (bus stops, trains, shopping centres, cinemas).Phobias
• A phobia is an extreme and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity. Phobias are characterised by an enormous level of fear. This fear cannot be rationalised or contained, and often limits his or her capacity to function. Phobias can be divided into three categories:• Specific phobia is an extreme fear of a particular object or situation. Someone who suffers from a specific phobia might, for example, be terrified of flying, or of water, or of a particular animal or insect.
• Social phobia (also known as Social Anxiety Disorder) is fear, anxiety and tension related to the possibility, either real or perceived, of embarrassment or humiliation occurring during social interactions or public situations.
• Agoraphobia is an overwhelming fear of having a panic attack or losing control. In particular, the individual with Agoraphobia fears being unable to escape or get help in 'unsafe' or unfamiliar settings away from the home.
Through step-by-step instructions and by your commitment to counselling at Lily Studios you will successfully decrease your daily anxiety. You will learn skills necessary to help you overcome any fears, phobias or panic attacks.
Cognitive behaviour therapy aims to change patterns of thinking, beliefs and behaviours that may trigger anxiety and obsessive symptoms. This therapy uses education to promote control over ones situation. It gears the mind towards helpful, proactive thinking which allows one to process information in a way that benefits his/her wellbeing. Relaxation training is also very helpful in reducing anxiety and is therefore incorporated early in the counselling process at Lily.
Upon completion of counselling at Lily Studios, you will learn:
• That anxiety is manageable and does not have to control your life
• How to apply practical and powerful strategies to assist in your own recovery
• How to identify and manage your responses to anxiety triggers
• How to identify and modify unhelpful thinking, behavior and reactions
• How to more effectively deal with relationships, stressful situations and life changes
• How to increase self-confidence, independence and self-esteem