Stress and Anxiety

Life stresses can cause anxiety; it comes about when you feel worried, uneasy or fearful of something. Anxiety can create a physical and emotional sensation when we become worried, nervous or anxious, it is our bodies reaction warning us that something is wrong and we need to act. This is when the ‘fight or flight’ response kicks in.

A common reaction to anxiety is a tendency to overthink things when thinking becomes irrational. We all have a natural response to be anxious about something such as a test, starting a new job or facing a challenging event. However, when the feelings and sensations become overwhelming and leave fear to face the situation, that’s when anxiety can become out of control, stopping us from facing our fears. This is when it stops you from carrying out day-to-day tasks because they become too stressful. This is the time to seek help.

Anxiety is a problem that can become worse if the stressors continue to build up and it may be that you find it difficult to ask for help. It may think that it’s not such a big deal however not knowing what is causing the anxiety can in itself exacerbate the condition.

Anxiety Disorders

There are many forms of anxiety that include:

• General anxiety disorder This can be related to feeling anxious but not have an understanding as to why you may be feeling stressed or up-tight, worrying about things.
• Phobias A phobia is an intense fear about something – no matter how threatening or dangerous it may be to you and any thought of the fear can cause you to become anxious.
• Panic Disorder You may have panic disorder if you experience unpredictable panic attacks. Symptoms will include feeling panicky, rapid breathing (hyperventilating) feeling faint and trembling. These intense symptoms can be frightening and distressful.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) OCD is when you have reoccurring thoughts and an overwhelming to repeat something. Not being able to carry out the repetition can in itself cause anxiety. The compulsions are a typical response to ease the anxiety of an obsession.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) This often occurs after witnessing trauma. This can bring about compulsive thoughts, flashbacks; nightmares which make you think over and relive the fearful event.

The treatment for anxiety is to explore and manage the fears and rationalise the thinking so you become more in control of the condition.

Anxiety Symptoms may include:

• Feeling tense nervous or on edge
• Unable to relax
• Experience a sense of dread
• Feel that you are not able to stop or be in control of the worry
• Unable to concentrate or focus
• To overthink things
• Experience low confidence and self-esteem
• Some sleep disturbance
• Change in sex drive
• Headaches, dizziness, feeling nauseous
• Panic attacks

The Forest Counselling Service can help you find coping strategies that work for you in these difficult times to learn you to understand and manage yourself better. From my consultation room, I offer counselling in Coleford and the Forest of Dean area.