Worry and Anxiety
Do you worry constantly or think too much? Is anxiety spoiling your life? Do you want it all to STOP?
If so, Caroline would like to help you.
Everyone worries from time to time, and that’s fine. A small amount of worry is useful and healthy, because it can help you to focus. But some people worry and fret more than others. Worry is a mental thing. It’s the niggling thoughts, and the churning of things over in your mind – the feeling bothered by thoughts that trouble you. Sometimes this gets out of control.
Anxiety is when you feel abnormally tense, worried and apprehensive about lots of different things, even when there is no need to be.
Someone is diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder when the symptoms they experience start to affect their day to day life. They may experience a range of alarming physical symptoms, to the extent that they are certain there is something medically wrong, and, though it may not appear obvious, they may be anxious and worried much of the time. A person with a high level of anxiety, or an anxiety disorder worries about what might or might not happen, and how they could be affected in a negative way.
The following are some of the most common symptoms that you might experience if your levels of stress and anxiety are at an unusually high level, or if you have an anxiety disorder. (There are however, many more)
- feeling on edge and tense
- very fast or very slow heart beat
- blocked throat
- feeling sick,
- feeling as if you could faint,
- stomach churning,
- pins and needles,
- fast breathing
- feeling that you can’t breathe
- feeling as if you are detached and separate from everyone and everything
- stomach churning
- rashes and spots
- churning things over and over in your mind
- constantly worrying about what might or might not happen, and how you could be affected in a negative way.
You may be convinced that there is something medically wrong, or that you are mentally ill, but the way that you feel is much more likely to be the result of an overworked nervous system. However, your doctor will be able to check that there is no other reason for your symptoms.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Agoraphobia, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are all categories of anxiety disorder, the most common being Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This whole area is complex, especially as often more than one type of anxiety disorder exists together. And of course a person can be depressed at the same time as well.
Without a doubt, the experience of an anxiety disorder can be utterly terrifying. Caroline Carr has both personal and professional experience of anxiety, so she understands how it can blight your life. Being around someone who has an anxiety disorder is really tough too. You so want to help that person, but you can feel completely powerless as you watch them battling with their fears.
If you know someone who has an anxiety disorder, help them by learning about it and supporting them through it. You may find their behaviour bewildering and exasperating. But they cannot just snap out of it, and they would usually give anything to feel better.
If you are close to the person, you may find that no matter how much you help and support them, their behaviour and their worry wears you down. Many people find themselves in this position, so make sure you get some support for yourself, because you are not alone.
You may find Caroline's book helpful: How not to worry, how to stop anxiety spoiling your life pub: White Ladder Press Sep 2008
Read Caroline’s article on anxiety Read Article
Caroline can help you in one of the following ways:
Hypnotherapy
Advanced Structured Hypnotherapy can relieve and resolve mental and emotional blocks which may be preventing you from living your life as you want.
Life coaching and support
* Help and support to enable you to feel good about yourself
* Tips and strategies to help you to cope if you feel overwhelmed
* Support, encouragement and advice about how to make the changes you want in your life.
Telephone support
Speak to Caroline direct for advice and support.
Share your experiences
Share your experiences of anxiety, and of living with someone who is highly anxious, and read about the experiences of others. If you would like to share your experiences, click here
Downloadable materials
Caroline has produced a range of helpful written and audio materials for you to download.