Most people feel stressed from time to time, for instance, when dealing with a work deadline or money worries. However, when people go through prolonged periods of stress — or experience a shock or trauma — then they can develop anxiety.
Anxiety is different from stress in that stress is mainly an external experience while anxiety is mainly internal. This means that you can feel anxious even when everything around you seems fine. Yet at other times there can be clear triggers for anxiety, such as meeting new people or starting a new job.
Anxiety can cause you to feel constantly fearful or worried about the future, affecting your overall happiness and wellbeing. It can sometimes seem like a vicious cycle, as its effects can cause you to feel even more anxious and avoid things like socialising.
Anxiety can show up in various different ways, here are a few of the main types:
A chronic state of feeling anxious and worrying excessively about everyday issues, including worrying about worrying.
Obsessively worrying about health, including regularly checking yourself for signs of illness.
Obsessive thoughts combined with compulsive behaviours or rituals that are carried out as a way of managing those thoughts.
An extreme and sudden attack of anxiety combined with overwhelming physical sensations. Sometimes during a panic attack a person might feel as if they are dying.
An extreme fear and exaggerated sense of danger towards a particular ‘trigger’ like an animal, object or situation.
A fear of humiliation or negative judgement from others.
What are the signs of anxiety?
Whatever kind of anxiety you’re experiencing, the good news is that the right therapy can make a difference. A therapist can help you to manage your anxiety symptoms and also explore the underlying causes.
Help for anxiety
All of our therapies can help with anxiety. However, these approaches have been shown to be particularly effective: CBT, DBT, ACT, CFT, Mindfulness.
Also, these therapies can explore the origins of your anxiety more deeply: EMDR, Body-Focused Therapies, Art Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy.
Your next step
Need confidential help with anxiety? Our compassionate and expert team of psychologists and psychotherapists are here for you. Why not book an in-person, video or live chat appointment today?
Lumo health is not a crisis support service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency do not use this site. Please use these resources instead.
