Anxiety
I work with anxiety in many different ways. These are just a few of the experiences I support clients with in therapy.
Feeling anxious or on edge
Sometimes anxiety is hard to put your finger on. You might feel worried or on edge even when there isn't one obvious thing that's wrong. Your mind can quickly focus on all the negatives or go to the worst possible outcome — what if something happens, what if something goes wrong, what if I can't cope? — and it can be difficult to reassure yourself once the worry starts.
Anxiety can be physical too. You might feel tense or restless, notice your heart racing, struggle to sleep or find it difficult to properly switch off. At times it can become more intense, bringing feelings of panic or a sense that something bad is about to happen.
Even when life is going relatively well, it can be difficult to relax when part of you is always anticipating what might go wrong.
Thinking too much
Do you ever wish you could just switch your brain off?
You might replay conversations long after they've ended, wondering if you said the wrong thing or what someone thought of you. Decisions can take far longer than they seem to take other people because you need to think through every possibility — What if I make the wrong choice? What if I haven't thought of something?
It can feel as though if you think about it for long enough, you'll finally feel certain. But the certainty rarely comes. Instead, hours can disappear into thinking, checking and re-checking, leaving you stuck, overwhelmed and mentally exhausted.
Social anxiety
Being around other people can feel like being constantly aware of yourself. Am I talking too much? Am I too quiet? Did that sound stupid? Do they actually want me here?
Instead of being able to enjoy yourself, part of your attention is always on how you’re coming across. You might rehearse what to say, hold parts of yourself back, or replay things afterwards wondering whether you got something wrong.
You may really want close friendships and meaningful connections, but find it difficult to be yourself when you're worried about being judged, rejected or misunderstood. Sometimes avoiding things feels easier — even when it leaves you feeling more alone.
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