Anxiety
Whatever its story, anxiety usually developed for a reason. Understanding that reason can change the way you relate to it.
Living with anxiety can be exhausting. Your mind might never seem to switch off. You replay conversations, imagine worst-case scenarios, or spend hours worrying about things that haven't even happened. You might feel on edge all the time, even when you know there's no real danger.
For some people, anxiety shows up mostly in their thoughts. For others, it's their body that speaks first. A tight chest. A racing heart. Restless legs. Trouble sleeping. Feeling sick before social situations. Finding it hard to relax, even at home.
Sometimes anxiety is obvious. Sometimes it looks like always being busy, always getting things right, always looking after everyone else, or pretending everything is okay.
But anxiety isn't random.
Our minds and bodies are built to protect us. When something feels dangerous, they prepare us to deal with it. The problem is that this system doesn't always switch off once the danger has passed.
Anxiety can feel confusing, especially when you can't work out why you're feeling this way. But anxiety usually makes sense.
Sometimes, after difficult or overwhelming experiences, our nervous system stays on high alert. It starts reacting to situations that aren't actually dangerous, but somehow feel familiar. A disagreement. Making a mistake. Being criticised. Letting someone down. Even slowing down can feel uncomfortable.
Sometimes your mind and body just learned that staying alert is the safest option.
Anxiety can develop after trauma or develop out of childhood experiences. It can follow loss, burnout, difficult relationships, or years of putting other people's needs before your own.
Whatever its story, anxiety usually developed for a reason.
Understanding that reason can change the way you relate to it.
Therapists who work with anxiety
Myra Kokke
Works with adults (18+)
James Sloane
Works with adults (18+)
Nichola Magner
Works with adults (18+)