Anxiety is one of our primal human emotions. You can think of it as our body’s natural alarm system. It is there to help our body evade possible dangers and make the right decisions. Some form of anxiety is normal and even necessary for us to stay safe.

So, what is anxiety and what do you need to know about it? Let’s take a look down below.

What is Anxiety?

You can define anxiety as a feeling of unease or worry. It’s our natural apprehension about what’s to come. Everyone feels anxious from time to time. You may feel anxious about sitting in an exam or during a job interview. In such cases, anxiety is completely normal and it usually subsides with time.

However, if your worry exceeds a healthy limit, it can take a life of its own. Some people find it hard to control their worries and get a grip on themselves. They have more persistent anxiety and it can interfere with their day to day lives. If this is the case, it could mean they have some sort of mental disorder as persistent anxiety is often a major symptom of some mental disorder.

Common disorders regarding anxiety include General anxiety disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and claustrophobia, etc. People that have an anxiety disorder find it hard to feel relaxed even under normal conditions.

How to find an Anxiety Therapist

If you are looking to find the perfect Anxiety therapist it is crucial to make sure that they have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience. At Expat Therapy 4U we only accept therapists who have full professional proficiency in English and are highly experienced in working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The clinicians we approve share our values and commitment to provide high quality therapy to the expatriate community in the private sector across Europe and online worldwide. We strongly believe that therapy changes lives, and being accredited ensures all our therapists are qualified to a high standard. You can find an Anxiety therapist who is insured to practice and accredited with a recognised membership body online here.

What are symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Therefore, most individuals may find that their symptoms are different. For some, it can feel like butterflies in your stomach while for others it could be a racing heart.

Below are some of the most common symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Psychological symptoms

The biggest effect of an anxiety disorder is on your behavior and thinking. You may experience the following symptoms:

• The feeling of restlessness and dread
• Excessive worrying and overwhelming feelings of guilt
• A feeling of constantly being on edge
• Difficulty concentrating and focusing on tasks
• Irritable behavior
• Withdrawal from social contact to avoid these feelings of worry or dread.
• Difficulty maintaining relationships because of constant suspicions.
• You may also experience a lack of self-esteem because of constant worrying.

Physical symptoms

After your mind, your symptoms may also manifest in your body. Here are some physical symptoms:

• Weakness, dizziness and constant tiredness.
• An irregular heartbeat (usually fast).
• Tensed chest area and tension in the majority of your body’s muscles.
• Trembling and shaking.
• Shortness of breath and irregular breathing.
• Stomach aches and feelings of being sick.
• Headaches.
• Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia).

What are the causes of Anxiety?

There are many external factors that can cause anxiety, some are:

• Stress at work or school.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Stress due to personal relationships.
• Financial issues or other family problems.
• Stress due to some serious mental illness.
• Side effects of medication.
• Use of drugs or constant use of unhealthy diet.
• Lack of oxygen in some cases such as on extreme altitudes or due to sickness.
• Medical conditions such as heart problems etc.

These triggers for anxiety will depend on person to person. Knowing your triggers can help you anticipate your reaction and help you control yourself better.

Effective treatments for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are often conditions that have been developed over long periods. So, in order to eliminate them, it takes some time and commitment. Fortunately, psychotherapy alone is essential in most cases to treat anxiety disorders. However, in some cases, your doctor might also prescribe you some medications.

Here are some treatment options for anxiety disorders.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Often the results of CBT last even longer than medications. Your therapist asks you questions about how you think and behave in certain scenarios.

Often most of our anxiety is caused by our negative and distorted thinking. We either don’t put much emphasis on these thoughts or avoid confronting them which makes our anxiety worse. In CBT you learn to identify and correct these negative thinking patterns.

Your therapist helps you understand where your thinking is biased and most importantly teaches you coping mechanisms and skills with which you can cope with your stress. Over the course of your sessions, your therapist trains you enough so you can handle these problems on your own.

Relaxation techniques

You can also learn applied relaxation techniques. It involves relaxing your muscles in a specific way during conditions that cause anxiety. You generally learn these techniques under the supervision of a trained psychologist. It involves:

• Learning how to relax your muscles instantly under a stressful situation.
• Learning how to manage your triggers to avoid further anxiety.
• Practicing relaxation techniques to help you in a situation that makes you anxious.

Medication

In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe you some medications. For example, if psychotherapy hasn’t helped or if you prefer to take medications, then you can get prescribed some medicines that can help calm you down.

Some medications are for a short term basis while others can be long term. However, before taking these medications properly discuss the side effects with your doctor and tell them any prior history of medication so they can effectively prescribe your dosages.

Usually, these medications take some weeks to start working, but some people benefit more from medications. Medications can also be paired with psychotherapy for better advantages.

Find an Anxiety Therapist through the Expat Therapy 4U platform

If left unmonitored, anxiety can cause serious problems for you in the long run. See whether your anxiety is more apparent than usual people and if you experience some or all symptoms described above. Identifying your disorder and seeking professional help can turn out to be an excellent decision for stabilizing your mental health and improving your life.

Further Readings on Anxiety

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/treatment/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/problems/anxiety-counselling-london/