Anxiety is often described as a persistent feeling of worry, fear or impending doom. A small amount of anxiety is perfectly normal in everyday life, you may be worried about an upcoming exam or presentation at work.
But when anxiety begins to take root and take over every thought in your mind it can have an effect on your everyday life and lead to serious physical and psychological implications.
Anxiety can manifest in various ways, affecting both the mind and body. Common symptoms include:
Physical Symptoms:
- Increased Heart Rate: Feeling like your heart is pounding or racing.
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating, especially in situations where it seems unwarranted.
- Shaking or Trembling: Uncontrollable trembling or shaking.
- Muscle Tension: Tightness or soreness in muscles, often in the neck, shoulders, or back.
- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or drained, even without significant exertion.
- Headaches: Frequent tension headaches or migraines.
- Digestive Issues: Nausea, diarrhoea.
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Feeling unsteady or faint.
Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms:
- Excessive Worry: Persistent worry about everyday events or situations, often disproportionate to the actual risk.
- Restlessness: Feeling on edge or unable to relax.
- Irritability: Increased sensitivity or frustration over minor issues.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing or experiencing a sense of mind going blank.
- Overthinking: Repeatedly going over the same thoughts or scenarios.
Behavioural Symptoms:
- Avoidance: Steering clear of situations or places that cause anxiety.
- Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless, unsatisfying sleep.
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions or activities you once enjoyed.
Panic Attack Symptoms:
- Intense Fear: Sudden, overwhelming fear or discomfort.
- Chest Pain: Sharp or pressing pain in the chest, which can feel like a heart attack.
- Feeling of Imminent Doom: A sense that something terrible is about to happen.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional for guidance and support.
Holistic Treatments for Anxiety:
Counselling
Counselling provides a supportive environment where individuals can explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours with the help of a trained professional. For anxiety, counselling helps by:
- Identifying Triggers: Helping individuals recognise specific situations or thoughts that provoke anxiety.
- Developing Coping Strategies: Teaching practical techniques and strategies to manage anxiety, such as relaxation exercises or cognitive-behavioural methods.
- Exploring Underlying Issues: Addressing deeper emotional or psychological issues that may contribute to anxiety, such as past trauma or chronic stress.
- Providing Support: Offering a non-judgmental space to express and process emotions, which can reduce feelings of isolation and help build resilience.
- Improving Self-Awareness: Assisting individuals in gaining a better understanding of their anxiety patterns and responses, which can lead to more effective self-management.
Overall, counselling empowers individuals with tools and insights to better manage anxiety and improve their overall emotional well-being.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Remedies are selected based on individual symptoms and overall health, aiming to balance emotional and physical states. For anxiety, homoeopathic treatments may help in managing symptoms by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting overall well-being.
Flower Remedies
Flower remedies, such as those from the Bach Flower Remedies system, use extracts from flowers to address emotional imbalances. For anxiety, specific remedies are chosen based on emotional states, like fear or worry, to help restore emotional harmony and alleviate stress.
Art Therapy
Art therapy involves using creative expression, like drawing or painting, to explore and process emotions. For anxiety, creating art can help individuals express difficult feelings, reduce stress, and promote relaxation through a non-verbal outlet.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to promote emotional and physical well-being. Scents like lavender, chamomile, or bergamot are often used to calm the mind, reduce stress, and create a sense of relaxation, which can be particularly helpful for managing anxiety.
Yoga
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote relaxation and mental clarity. Practising yoga can help alleviate anxiety by reducing stress levels, improving mindfulness, and fostering a sense of calm through focused breathing and movement.
Spiritual Healing
Spiritual healing practices, such as energy work, aim to balance and align the body’s energy fields. For anxiety, spiritual healing can provide a sense of peace, support emotional release, and help individuals connect with a deeper sense of purpose and inner strength.
Reflexology
Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to different body organs and systems. For anxiety, reflexology may help by stimulating these points to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional balance.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology, or muscle testing, assesses the body's response to different stimuli to identify stressors and imbalances. For anxiety, kinesiology can help detect emotional and physical stressors and guide interventions that aim to restore balance and reduce anxiety symptoms.