My anxiety took front and centre stage in my life. No matter how hard I tried, my life was organized around trying to avoid anxiety attacks.

Career aspirations took a backseat to just having a job where I didn’t feel stressed. I didn’t want to be lonely, but the stress of anxiety chased me into seclusion. My friendships slowly slipped away.

It affects everything from vacations to making love.

This is not the future I want!

Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in North America.

  • Around half of the people with depression also have an anxiety disorder.
  • General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) frequently occurs alongside substance abuse and depression.
  • People with eating disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have anxiety disorders as well.
  • People with anxiety disorder are six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric reasons than those without.
  • There is a hereditary component to anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Anxiety is the feeling of apprehension, fear or panic, sometimes experienced with heart palpitations, racing thoughts, shaking, sweating, and feelings of heightened stress.

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Why do I have anxiety?

This is the thousand-dollar question! And if we are honest, we don’t fully understand it. However, what we do know is that life events like trauma appear to trigger anxiety disorder in people who appear to be prone to anxiety. There also seems to be a link to heredity. In addition, anxiety is a cousin to depression, but can also be related to other health issues such as thyroid problems, heart disease, diabetes, drug misuse, chronic pain, irritable bowel and ADD/ADHD.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

  • Excessive worrying
  • Racing thoughts
  • Feeling agitated
  • Restlessness
  • Difficulty in concentration
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Tense muscles
  • Difficulty getting to sleep

Is there any cure for anxiety?

Yes, there is much that can be done to stop these debilitating feelings you are experiencing.

Does anxiety go away with time?

While we all experience high stress situations and feel anxiety, removing us from the stress of the experience can often eliminate the anxious feelings. Some, however, experience these awful feelings even without the triggers of such an event. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.

What type of therapy is best for anxiety?

Treatment for general anxiety disorders is usually based on how severely it affects your everyday life. If you are experiencing anxiety, we recommend that you first seek out a professional mental health therapist. The first recommended treatment for anxiety is psychotherapy or talk therapy. The most effective form of this therapy is cognitive behavioural therapy. With skill development, often symptoms can significantly improve.

The second form of treatment includes the use of medication. Often the combination of psychotherapy and medication is the treatment of choice. Of course, you will need to talk with your doctor about benefits, risks and possible side effects of medication. Most of our clients do not want to take medication, and they seek out psychotherapy first.

Should I see a therapist?

You should also be quick to seek out a professional therapist if:

  • You have experienced a traumatic event and now experience anxiety.
  • You feel like you’re worrying too much.
  • It’s interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life.
  • Your fear, worry or anxiety is difficult to control.
  • You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health concerns along with anxiety.
  • You think your anxiety could be linked to a physical health problem.
  • You have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If this is the case, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Your worries may not go away on their own, and they may get worse over time if you don’t seek help. See your doctor or a mental health provider before your anxiety gets worse. It’s easier to treat if you get help early.

What does counselling do for anxiety?

Counselling or psychotherapy allows a person to understand how their mind is connected to their brain, body and emotions. It will teach skills through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, allowing them to better manage their anxiety and reduce the symptoms they are experiencing.

How long does it take for CBT to work?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been clinically proven to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety (GAD). While effective treatment is dependent upon each individual person and situation, as well as the severity of the anxiety, often six to eight sessions can significantly reduce the suffering of many individuals.

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