Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can affect people of all ages. Navigating life’s challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, and many people experience anxiety in response to stress, change, uncertainty, or difficult life circumstances. While anxiety is a natural human response, it can become difficult to manage when worries, fears, or physical symptoms are persistent and begin to interfere with daily life.
Anxiety can affect the way you think, feel, and respond to situations, impacting overall wellbeing. It can quietly influence day-to-day experiences, making it harder to feel present, confident, and engaged in the activities that matter most to you.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety include:
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Excessive worry or persistent feelings of apprehension;
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Feeling, nervous, restless or on edge;
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Racing thoughts or difficulty controlling worriesl;
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Difficulty concentrating or feeling distracted;
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Irritabiltiy or becoming easily frustrated;
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Trouble falling asleep our staying asleep;
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Feeling overwhelmed by everyday situations;
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Avoiding certain places, activities or social situations;
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Increased heart rate;
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fatigue;
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Shortness of breathe/ tightness in the chest
Experiencing some of these symptoms occasionally is a normal part of life. However, if anxiety symptoms are persistent, distressing, or begin to interfere with daily functioning, professional support may be beneficial.
Understanding Anxiety
A look at the causes
Anxiety can develop for a variety of reasons, and often there is no single cause. A combination of biological, psychological, and life experiences may contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety symptoms.
Some people may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, meaning they are more likely to experience anxiety if there is a family history of mental health difficulties.
Life experiences such as ongoing stress, major life changes, relationship difficulties, workplace pressures, or exposure to traumatic events can also increase vulnerability to anxiety.
Individual factors, including personality traits, coping styles, and physical health conditions, may influence how anxiety is experienced. For some people, anxiety can develop gradually over time, while for others it may emerge in response to a specific event or period of stress.
Anxiety can also manifest in various forms, including phobias, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress, all of which can significantly impact daily functioning and wellbeing.
Treatment for Anxiety:
My approach combines psychoeducation with tailored therapeutic strategies to help you better understand and manage anxiety. Together, we work on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and worries, and develop practical ways to reduce their impact on your daily life.
We also incorporate grounding and mindfulness-based techniques to help you stay present and more connected in the moment, especially during periods of heightened anxiety.
Sessions are paced according to your individual needs, within a supportive and non-judgemental environment. As we explore the factors contributing to your anxiety, you can begin to build greater insight into your experiences and develop more helpful ways of responding to them.
Over time, this process can support you in recognising triggers, shifting unhelpful patterns, and strengthening healthier coping strategies. The aim is to help you feel more confident in managing anxiety and navigating life’s challenges.
Commonly Questions about Anxiety
Get In Touch
Finding the right psychologist is an important part of the therapeutic process. Whether you're experiencing difficulties within your relationship, feeling overwhelmed by stress, or navigating life's challenges, I welcome your enquiry. Please complete the contact form or give me a call if you would like to discuss how I may be able to help, and whether I may be the right fit for your needs.
Toowong, QLD, Australia