Anxiety is that unpleasant feeling we get when we think that something bad might happen, It is accompanied by a number of these physical changes (the fight-flight-freeze response) as well as changes in the way we think, feel, and behave. 

Anxiety can be useful if it motivates us to take appropriate action such as studying for an exam or avoiding a dangerous situation. However, in many cases, anxiety is not helpful and simply makes us feel bad, especially when we worry excessively. It can then affect our sleep, concentration, memory, and confidence. It can make us doubt ourselves and we become indecisive. 

How a Psychologist can help you

I can help you to gain insight into the underlying causes and triggers of your anxiety and teach you strategies to manage it effectively.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• Hyperventilation or rapid breathing

• Racing heart

• Tense muscles

• Dryness in the mouth

• Sweating

• Nausea

• Trembling

• A feeling of weakness or dizziness

There are different types of anxiety such as:

Panic attacks
Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear, where we feel that we might die or faint. Often people may believe they are having a heart attack or some other medical emergency. The fear of having another panic attack then leads to general anxiety, rumination, and overthinking things. 

Phobias
Phobias are fears of something specific, such as spiders, or closed places. We then tend to avoid situations where we might encounter the feared object or experience and slowly our life becomes smaller and smaller. Often a phobia develops when we associate the place or circumstance with where we had a panic attack.

Social Anxiety
This is where we feel we might be judged or scrutinised by others. This leads us to avoid social situations.