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Anxiety

Generalised Anxiety, Phobias, Panic, OCD

Anxiety takes many forms, but at its core, it is an excessive fear or worry that interrupts your daily life. Whether you are dealing with the constant hum of Generalised Anxiety, the sudden intensity of Panic Attacks, or the repetitive cycle of OCD, you don't have to navigate it alone.

 

Our approach goes beyond symptom management; we work with you to uncover the underlying drivers of your anxiety, be they past trauma or current stressors, and equip you with the tools to regain control.

Understanding the Many Faces of Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural and necessary human response to stress or danger, but when it becomes chronic, overwhelming, or disproportionate to the situation, it can interfere significantly with daily life.

 

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions and manifest in different forms—each with distinct characteristics, yet all sharing a core feature: excessive fear or worry that is difficult to control.

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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What is GAD?

GAD is characterised by persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of everyday issues — such as work responsibilities, health, finances or relationships. This worry is difficult to manage and often feels uncontrollable, even when there is little or no real reason for concern.

Common Symptoms

People with GAD may experience ongoing physical and emotional symptoms, including:

  • Restlessness

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle tension

  • Irritability

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Trouble concentrating

Unlike more specific anxiety disorders, the anxiety in GAD is not limited to one situation or trigger.

Therapy Support for GAD

In therapy, we explore the underlying patterns that drive generalised anxiety and help you understand why worry feels so difficult to control.

 

Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) cognitive, specifically restructuring and behavioural experiments, we work together to shift unhelpful thinking patterns and build confidence in new ways of responding to stress.

Relearning Healthier Ways to Cope

With practice and support, it is possible to unlearn the habitual cycle of excessive worry. Therapy can help you develop a calmer mindset, improve emotional resilience and gain greater peace of mind.

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Phobias

What are Phobias?

Phobias involve intense, irrational fears of particular objects or situations—such as flying, heights, animals or receiving an injection.

Impact on Daily Life

While many people have mild fears, a phobia causes such strong anxiety that individuals often go to great lengths to avoid the trigger, sometimes disrupting their daily routines, work or relationships. The fear experienced is out of proportion to the actual threat posed, yet it feels very real and can be debilitating.

Therapy Support for Phobias

Therapeutic intervention to overcome such phobias involves systematic desensitisation, where the therapist supports you to confront and eliminate/reduce the flight/fight response.

Panic Disorder

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes.

Common Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Symptoms may include:

  • Racing heart

  • Shortness of breath

  • Dizziness

  • Chest pain

  • Feelings of losing control or impending doom.

Impact on Daily Life

What makes panic disorder particularly challenging is the fear of future attacks, which can lead individuals to avoid certain places or activities, potentially resulting in agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult).

Therapeutic Intervention

Therapeutic intervention for panic disorder involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), where the therapist guides you to manage anxious thoughts and physical sensations, helping to reduce the intensity and frequency of panic episodes.

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is OCD?

OCD is marked by the presence of obsessions—recurrent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress—and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed in an attempt to reduce that distress or prevent a feared event.

Common Examples of Compulsions

For example, a person might repeatedly wash their hands to alleviate fears of contamination or check locks and appliances to ensure safety.

Impact on Daily Life

These rituals can become time-consuming and interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Therapeutic Intervention

Therapeutic intervention for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), where the therapist supports you to face intrusive thoughts and resist compulsions, gradually easing anxiety and breaking the obsessive–compulsive cycle.

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Impact of Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including work, school, physical health, and interpersonal relationships.

Treatment Options

Fortunately, they are highly treatable. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments available. It helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, gradually face feared situations, and develop healthier coping strategies. In some cases, medication may also be recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. 

If anxiety is interfering with your ability to live fully, you don’t have to face it alone — support is available for you, and for others you know.

If anxiety is interfering with your ability to live fully, you don’t have to face it alone. Evidence-based treatment can make a real difference.

You’re welcome to contact us to share what you’re going through and to learn more about the therapeutic options available.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Anxiety

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