Understanding Anxiety Disorders and How I Can Help

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterised by persistent, excessive, and often irrational worry or fear. These disorders can significantly impact daily life, interfering with relationships, work, and overall well-being. While anxiety is a normal human experience, it becomes problematic when it dominates your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

 

Understanding the different types of anxiety disorders is the first step toward finding the right support and treatment.

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As a highly trained psychologist, I have extensive experience in working with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders. My approach is tailored to each person’s unique needs, drawing from a wide range of evidence-based therapies to help you regain control over your life.  I work with any type of anxiety and some Types of Common Anxiety Disorders that I often work with are:

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• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder)

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Phobias (including specific phobias, social phobia, and agoraphobia)

• Trichotillomania / Dermatillomania

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Panic Disorder

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Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder involves an intense fear of social situations and the possibility of being judged or humiliated by others. This fear can prevent individuals from participating in activities, forming relationships, or engaging in conversations.

 

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder:

• Excessive fear of being judged by others.

• Avoidance of social situations.

• Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, or trembling.

• Difficulty making eye contact or speaking in front of others.

• Struggles with forming and maintaining relationships.

 

How I Can Help: Through cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and social skills training, I help clients address their fears in a supportive environment. Together, we can work on building confidence and reducing the overwhelming impact of social anxiety.

 

Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder)

Health anxiety is characterised by excessive worry about having a serious illness, often despite medical reassurance. This can lead to constant checking of physical symptoms and seeking frequent medical attention.

 

Symptoms of Health Anxiety:

• Persistent worry about having a serious illness.

• Frequent checking of the body for signs of illness.

• Seeking repeated reassurance from doctors.

• Difficulty focusing on daily life due to health concerns.

 

How I Can Help: Using CBT and mindfulness-based approaches, I support clients in identifying thought patterns that perpetuate health anxiety. Together, we focus on reducing preoccupation with health and developing healthier coping strategies.

 

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD involves excessive, uncontrollable worry about a wide range of topics, even when there’s little reason to be concerned. This constant anxiety can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.

 

Symptoms of GAD:

• Persistent worry about various topics.

• Difficulty controlling anxious thoughts.

• Restlessness or feeling on edge.

• Difficulty concentrating or sleeping.

• Physical symptoms such as muscle tension or headaches.

 

How I Can Help: I use CBT, relaxation training, and mindfulness techniques to help individuals identify triggers and reduce the intensity of their worries. Together, we create strategies to regain a sense of calm and control.

 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterised by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety. This cycle can be debilitating and interfere with daily life.

 

Symptoms of OCD:

• Intrusive thoughts related to themes such as cleanliness, safety, or mistakes.

• Repetitive behaviours like handwashing, checking, or arranging items.

• Significant distress or interference in daily functioning.

 

How I Can Help: Using specialised CBT techniques such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and or EMDR therapy, I work with clients to break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, allowing them to regain control over their lives.

 

Phobias

A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. Phobias can range from fear of spiders (arachnophobia) to fear of heights or crowded spaces.

 

Symptoms of Phobias:

• Extreme fear and anxiety when faced with the phobic object or situation.

• Avoidance behaviours.

• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.

 

How I Can Help: Exposure therapy and EMDR are highly effective treatments for phobias. Together, we work to gradually and safely confront your fears, reducing their intensity over time.

 

Other Anxiety-Related Conditions

• Trichotillomania / Dermatillomania: Compulsive hair-pulling or skin-picking behaviours often linked to anxiety or stress.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent fear and hypervigilance following a traumatic event.

• Panic Disorder: Sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness.

 

Evidence-Based Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

There are a variety of effective therapies for anxiety disorders, and I am highly trained in applying these approaches to meet individual needs:

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1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.

2. Exposure Therapy: Gradually desensitises individuals to their fears in a safe and controlled environment.

3. Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Enhances awareness and acceptance of the present moment, reducing anxiety.

4. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Teaches skills to regulate emotions and tolerate distress effectively.

5. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Aims to remove the emotional reaction to a memory or fear 

 

Why Work With Me?

I hold advanced qualifications in anxiety-focused therapies, including a postgraduate diploma in DBT and I am a fully trained EMDR therapist. My experience includes working in NHS settings, where I specialised in treating anxiety disorders and complex emotional difficulties.

 

I bring not only expertise but also compassion and understanding to every session. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where we can explore your challenges and develop practical strategies that work for you.

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If you’re ready to take the next step toward managing anxiety and improving your well-being, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to achieve lasting change and restore balance to your life.

 

Please feel free to discuss this with me further.