The symptoms of anxiety are due to our nervous system. It has two phases: high alert and calm. When our system is in high alert we call it the fight/ flight phase.

This ‘anxiety’ response is very normal and adaptive when it occurs in short bursts in times of stress. However, sometimes the nervous system can remain stuck in this fight/ flight response for months, if not years.

When the nervous system stays in the high alert phase for long periods symptoms tend to spiral into a worsening pattern. This further creates worry and stress which further increases anxiety.

Fortunately, the right type of therapy can have a very powerful impact on reducing anxiety.

Research shows that therapy is the most effective treatment option. This is because therapy, unlike anxiety medication, treats more than just the symptoms, it treats the core of the problem. Therapy for anxiety and intrusive worries looks at teaching you strategies to identify triggers, learn to manage the anxiety and develop skills for turning off the anxiety response.

Whether you have general anxiety and worry, a specific phobia, anxiety from a trauma, panic or social anxiety there are very effective treatments we can offer.

These treatments look at the anxiety from four main perspectives and seek to identify your personal anxiety signature for your emotions, thoughts, body and behaviour.

From this personal signature, a clear practical treatment plan emerges. This plan will include practical tools to empower you to create a calmer, more resilient self.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) one of different therapies that can be used for anxiety. CBT addresses negative patterns and distortions in the way we look at the world and ourselves.

If you want to know more about anxiety you can take a test to assess how much it impacts your life https://psychology-tools.com/gad-7/