Anxiety
Many of us feel times of anxiety; it is a normal human feeling when in a perceived threatening or difficult situation. Sometimes feelings of anxiety can become stronger and last for periods of time, these anxious feelings can be understood and treated using a variety of approaches.
Our treatment approach for anxiety
Our approach to treating anxiety at Nightingale Hospital in London involves individualised treatment programmes based on current clinical evidence. Treatment options for anxiety include:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a method of treating anxiety, to help understand and normalise your anxieties. Psychotherapists work with patients on how past experiences can inform the present and learn how to deal with this.The treatment can take place in groups or individually
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, often known as CBT, is a way of alleviating psychological distress. CBT will help to learn more positive emotional and behavioural responses to situations and feelings that bring on your anxiety.
Medication
Medication may help to feel less anxious and cope better so that you can start to enjoy life and deal with problems more effectively.
Symptoms of anxiety
Cognitive symptoms
- Feeling worried all the time
- Feeling tired
- Unable to concentrate
- Feeling irritable
- Sleeping badly
Psychological symptoms
- Irregular heartbeats (palpitations)
- Sweating
- Muscle tension and pains
- Breathing heavily
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Indigestion
- Diarrhoea
Helping those with anxiety
Talking about the problem
Having the chance to talk, may help to find out how other people have coped with a similar problem. Creating a safe, supportive and non judgmental space.
SeIf-help groups
These are a good way of getting in touch with people with similar problems. They will both be able to understand what you are going through, but also may be able to suggest helpful ways of coping. These groups may be focussed on anxieties, or may be made up of people who have been through similar experiences – women’s groups, bereaved parent’s groups, survivors of abuse groups.
Learning to relax
It can be a great help to learn a special way of relaxing, to help us manage our anxiety and tension. We can learn these through groups, through professionals
If this is not enough, there are several different kinds of professionals who may be able to help – the family doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse or counsellor.
