Sharp Minds 'Eliminate Anxiety' Programme
Anxiety is a normal and important human emotion so we ought not demonise it!
It helps motivate us to get things done and tackle new challenges. It helps us problem-solve too; if we haven’t put much effort into our exam revision, have been a little too free and easy with our spending during the month, or have discovered a potential health issue and done nothing about it, or can hear footsteps close behind us on a dark road, then we may well start to feel anxious.
These anxious feelings are designed to drive us to take appropriate action. In the normal course of things, when we do what we need to do, the brain can recognise it is safe again and the can anxiety abate.
In this sense, anxiety is simply the brain’s way of reacting to a stressor and letting us know when we need to take remedial action.
However, when these healthy levels of angst are replaced by frequent and/ or excessive levels of anxiety – the kind which interferes with our ability to get on with normal daily living – then we have what might commonly be referred to as a mental health disorder.
Amongst the spectrum of mental health disorders, anxiety is by far and away the most common. It is also the 'umbrella' symptom for a number of different conditions including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) disorder to name but a few.
According to Mental Health UK, over 8 million people are experiencing an anxiety disorder at any one time. So if you are struggling with anxiety, you are not alone. Far from it.
However, if you think you have to live with anxiety, then you are mistaken. Thankfully! Living with anxiety not only robs a person of their joie de vivre, it also tends to make the anxiety bigger.
Anxiety disorders can be treated easily. Despite this, it’s estimated only around 37% of people affected choose to get treatment.
As a result, suffers often resort to avoidance to cope with the anxiety. They avoid the things, people and situations they fear trigger the anxiety. It is not uncommon that their life becomes smaller and less rewarding as a result. They avoid promotions, parties, planes, chairing meetings, taking up hobbies, going out shopping. The list goes on.
They may develop panic attacks, difficulty sleeping or an eating disorder. They may start pulling their hair or picking their skin. They may develop irritable bowel syndrome and stomach problems.
All of these things are avoidable. Anxiety is not your default human biology and you deserve to be free from crippling anxiety.
If you want to book a no-obligation chat, please get in touch, or if you want to read more, scroll on down.
