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Swin-eCounselling Resources – Anxiety

While almost anyone can feel anxious at some point in their lives, such as before an exam, when these feelings become more severe and impair everyday functioning, it can be evidence of a more serious condition, known as an Anxiety …

Swin-eCounselling Resources – Anxiety

While almost anyone can feel anxious at some point in their lives, such as before an exam, when these feelings become more severe and impair everyday functioning, it can be evidence of a more serious condition, known as an Anxiety Disorder. There are several types of Anxiety Disorders, including:

Many of these disorders can be associated with a sudden feeling of severe panic (known as a Panic Attack) and/or Agoraphobia (feeling afraid to leave the safety of your home).

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed below, you may be at risk of an Anxiety Disorder, and could benefit from speaking with a counsellor, or another healthcare professional. It is important that you make an appointment with a professional as soon as possible to deal with these symptoms before they become more serious.

* World Health Organisation. (2003). International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. [Electronic Version].



Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is characterised by Anxiety that is generalized and persistent but not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in, any particular situation. The main symptoms can vary but may include the following:

  • Persistent nervousness
  • Trembling
  • Muscular tensions
  • Sweating
  • Light-headedness
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Epigastric discomfort (upset stomach)
  • Fears of either yourself, or a relative, shortly becoming ill or having an accident.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is characterised by recurrent attacks of severe anxiety (panic), which are not restricted to any particular situation or set of circumstances and are therefore unpredictable. The dominant symptoms include:

  • Sudden onset of palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Choking sensations
  • Dizziness
  • Feelings of unreality (depersonalisation or derealisation)

There is often also a secondary fear of dying, losing control, or going mad. See also panic attacks.


Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety is characterised by a fear of being negatively judged by other people, leading to avoidance of social situations. More pervasive social phobias are usually associated with low self-esteem and fear of criticism. People with Social Anxiety may experience the following sensations in social situations, causing them much distress.

  • Blushing
  • Hand tremors
  • Nausea

These symptoms can progress to panic attacks.


Specific Phobias

Specific Phobias are phobias restricted to highly specific situations, such as proximity to particular animals, heights, thunder, darkness, flying, closed spaces, using public toilets, eating certain foods, dentistry, or the sight of blood or injury. Contact with a triggering situation can evoke panic, as in social phobia. See also panic attacks.


Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterised by obsessional thoughts or compulsive acts. Obsessional thoughts are ideas, images, or impulses that enter the patient’s mind again and again. They are almost always distressing and the sufferer often tries, unsuccessfully, to resist them. Compulsive acts or rituals are particular behaviours that are repeated again and again. They are not inherently enjoyable, nor do they result in the completion of inherently useful tasks. Their function is to prevent some objectively unlikely event, often involving harm to or caused by the sufferer, which he or she fears might otherwise occur. Usually, this behaviour is recognized by the sufferer as pointless or ineffectual and repeated attempts are made to resist the behaviour. Anxiety is almost invariably present. If compulsive acts are resisted the anxiety typically gets worse.


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can arise as a delayed or protracted response to a stressful event or situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost anyone. PTSD typically includes:

  • Episodes of repeated reliving of the trauma in intrusive memories ("flashbacks"), dreams or nightmares
  • These "flashbacks" occur against the persisting background of a sense of "numbness" and emotional blunting, detachment from other people, unresponsiveness to surroundings and anhedonia
  • Activities and situations reminiscent of the trauma are avoided
  • State of hyperarousal, or feeling ‘on edge’, with an enhanced startle reaction, and insomnia
  • Anxiety and depression are commonly associated with the above symptoms and signs, and suicidal ideation is not uncommon.

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are brief episodes of severe panic, often associated with the following symptoms:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing, feeling as though you are suffocating
  • A fear that is almost paralysing
  • A feeling of dread
  • Dizziness, light-headedness or nausea
  • Trembling
  • Uncontrollable sweating
  • Choking
  • Chest pains
  • General distress
  • Hot flashes, or sudden chills
  • Tingling in fingers or toes (‘pins and needles’)
  • Feeling as though you’re going to go crazy or are about to die.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia involves an embracing fear of leaving home, entering shops, crowds and public places, or travelling alone in trains, buses or planes. People suffering from Agoraphobia often attempt to avoid the phobic situation. This avoidance can sometimes relate to a fear of experiencing a panic attack in a public place.


These symptoms can be evidence of other serious conditions, so it is important to speak to a medical professional to reach an accurate diagnosis. Speaking to a Counsellor can help you to deal with any issues that may be contributing to these symptoms, and find ways to overcome them. Check out the following resources and services for more information about Anxiety, its causes, and available treatments.

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