Anxiety Counselling Melbourne

Anxiety is a relatively common overarching term for a condition characterised by excessive and persistent worry, fear, or unease. It is important to understand that everyone feels anxious from time to time, however, those living with an anxiety disorder experience more than just a feeling of nervousness or stress in certain situations; instead, their emotional distress and fear are sometimes so overpowering and prolonged that they can interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and their overall well-being.

The most common types of anxiety are:

One of the most prevalent anxiety disorders, generalised anxiety is a chronic condition in which the physical and psychological symptoms interfere with almost every aspect of an individual’s life. People with generalised anxiety often experience persistent and excessive worry about everyday concerns, such as work, health, finances, or relationships, even when there is little to no apparent reason for concern. This worry is difficult to control and can significantly interfere with daily functioning.

Specific phobias are intense and irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Most times, the fear is disproportionate to any actual threat posed by the feared stimulus. Common phobias include fear of heights, spiders, flying, needles, or enclosed spaces. When faced with a feared stimulus, individuals with specific phobias experience intense anxiety and may go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation.

Social anxiety is characterised by an intense fear or anxiety in social situations. It involves a persistent worry about being judged, criticised, or embarrassed by others. This fear of social situations often prompts individuals to avoid social situations or become closed off and anxious when participating in settings where the people or space are unknown.

It’s important to note that experiencing occasional shyness or nervousness in social situations is normal. However, when these feelings become excessive and interfere significantly with daily life, it may be an indication of social anxiety. Excessive avoidance of social situations as a result of social anxiety can become debilitating and isolating and should not go without meaningful treatment.

If you or someone you love suffers from generalised anxiety disorder, then you understand the impact it can have on your mental health and overall life — the issues it causes at work, at home, and in your social life. For all these reasons, it’s important to seek anxiety treatment to manage your symptoms and improve your everyday life. At our Melbourne clinic, we offer compassionate and effective anxiety treatment. Explore below how therapy may be able to assist you.

Therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy, equip you with practical tools and coping mechanisms to manage anxiety symptoms and navigate challenging situations. Treatment includes relaxation techniques, deep breathing, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring.

Through therapy, psychologists help you gain insight into the specific triggers and patterns that contribute to your anxiety. Understanding these triggers can help you develop personalised strategies to effectively cope with, reduce anxiety and enjoy life.

Therapy fosters resilience by helping you develop practical and effective coping skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptive thinking patterns. It empowers you to face anxiety-provoking situations with increased confidence, resilience, and self esteem.

Remember, seeking support is a courageous step towards addressing and managing your anxiety. By working collaboratively with an experienced anxiety psychologist in Melbourne from Fortitude Wellbeing, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and healing, ultimately leading to a life with reduced anxiety, less suffering and improved well-being.