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January 10, 2014 by Brighton & Hove Psychotherapy Leave a Comment

Anxiety

Anxiety is a common psychological term and one that has entered cultural lexicon of daily life: if we are anxious, we all focus on what we can do to reduce our anxiety – as if anxiety is an externally generated condition that has descended upon us.  Let’s be clear: anxiety is unpleasant and uncomfortable and can at times become overwhelming.  This is not the type of anxiety I am thinking about.  What I am considering is a more pervasive, universal anxiety that perhaps we have forgotten how to understand and think about: anxiety of being human.

The parallel vocations of existential philosophy and psychotherapy have much to say about anxiety, its ubiquity to humanity and its causes.  In short, the anxiety of being that gnaws away at us all is the price we pay for our consciousness and what is it that our consciousness is aware of that essentially generates our anxiety? Death.

Irvin Yalom, the Godfather of American existential psychotherapy has much to say about death anxiety and death denial and their links to anxiety.  He suggests that us humans (unlike our animal cousins), have a belief that we have an exemption from the natural law that is the foundation stone of all life and that this essentially underlies many aspects of our behaviour essentially rendering us inauthentic.  I think that what Yalom is essentially trying to tell us here is that there is no escaping death and that rather than constructing elaborate defence mechanisms that serve to convince us we are exempt from the laws of nature, it would serve us well to embrace the concept of death, however terrifying, and live ‘authentically’.  In Yalom’s own words; ‘a denial of death at any level is a denial of one’s basic nature and begets an increasingly pervasive restriction on awareness of experience’ (p32, Existential Psychotherapy).

How can we do this?  Well, in short through investing in meaning making structures.  However, once again we have a problem.  We live in a technological world dominated by science.  Much of the myth of the world – the ways, means and stories – by which we created and invested in meaning in the world, have been eroded by science.  Not all of this myth erosion is bad – we no longer burn witches, for example – however, I would contend that as a species we collectively struggle to find meaning in an increasingly technical world.  Joseph Campbell, the American mythologist, writer and lecturer summed this up in stating that the world was changing too fast for us to cultivate and sustain mythology. And the price we pay for this lack of prescribed mythology – it brings death nearer to us and without the shielding power of myth, we are rendered increasingly anxious.

Mark Vahrmeyer

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Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most discussed mental health issues. The term has entered our daily language and is often used to describe an agitated state, whether related to a particular incident or not. However, whilst anxiety is part of the human condition in that we all feel it at some point, overwhelming anxiety can feel terrifying, debilitating and not normal. That’s where we can help.

Do I Have an Anxiety Disorder?

Every person feels anxiety differently. You may experience a range of physical and mental effects that can impact different areas of your life. Anxiety effects can include:

  • Feeling light-headed
  • Feeling sick
  • Fast breathing
  • Panic attacks
  • Palpitations
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Feeling restless
  • Changes in sex drive

When someone suffers from anxiety, it can be difficult to relax. A nervous feeling may wash over you and you may have a sense of dread. It can cause you to feel like the world is speeding up or slowing down and can cause you to worry that you’re losing touch with reality.

Symptoms of anxiety may be long-term, in certain situations, or it may come and go. Anxiety could be mild or severe and may even have serious impacts on your ability to work. Many men and women experience anxiety when going through big life changes, or have finally decided it’s time to seek help after living with anxiety for a long time. If any of this sounds like you, we’re here to help.

Anxiety Counselling for Men in Brighton

Research shows that men tend to put off getting any kind of mental health support because they feel they need to be ‘tough’ and able to take care of situations themselves. But this simply isn’t true. Many men suffer quietly during home and work life, so it’s important to speak up and seek help.

We can help men dealing with a range of anxiety symptoms that may be interfering with their ability to manage and enjoy life. Anxiety can be difficult to work through alone and may cause a negative effect on the immune system and mood. If you’re a man who is experiencing anxiety, our dedicated psychotherapists can help you navigate through it.

Anxiety in Young People

Anxiety can affect someone no matter their age. Just like adults, children and teenagers have worries and anxieties that can affect their overall health and well-being. If you’re a parent looking for support for your child, we’re here to help.

Growing up can be tough, and for some young people, stressors and anxiety can lead to depression. If there are family members who suffer from anxiety and depression, it’s important to look out for signs early in their life.

The History of Humans and Anxiety

From an evolutionary perspective, it is the most anxious amongst us who have survived – our ancestors who were ‘on-guard’ (anxious) about a sabre-toothed tiger attack, were the ones who survived. The same goes for war situations. Anxiety enables soldiers to anticipate danger and remain vigilant. In our relatively safe Western societies, anxiety can help get us to do something with our lives: without anxiety, we would all be couch potatoes! However, there is a point when the anxiety feels too much for us to handle and may take over our lives, and that is when we should seek help.

Do you want to know how to stop a Panic Attack?  See our useful video guide below

How Can Anxiety Counselling in Brighton Help?

Anxiety affects people in different ways. Many have different psychological and physical side effects that may interfere with their life such as difficulty controlling worry, sleep problems, heart palpitations, headaches and more. Our anxiety counselling in Brighton, Hove and Lewes can help with a range of anxiety disorders, such as:

  • Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Social anxiety

If anxiety is affecting your day-to-day life, you may benefit from anxiety counselling in Brighton. We offer cognitive therapies such as CBT through to open-ended analytical psychotherapy depending on your needs and preference.

Once you have a sense of some control over your anxiety, we will gently start to help you explore what may be causing the anxiety which is often the result of deeper feelings that have not been acknowledged or processed, such as sadness, grief or other uncomfortable feelings.

What to Expect with Anxiety Therapy

The first session with one of our practitioners is an opportunity for you both to work out whether you feel able to work together. Your psychotherapist or psychologist will likely ask you various questions relating to what has brought you and explain the process of therapy to you. You have the opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you feel ‘safe enough’ working with your therapist.

We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action of helping you manage your anxiety and help you understand why you are experiencing these feelings. Although it may be challenging, here is how to get the most out of your anxiety therapy sessions in our Brighton, Hove and Lewes practices:

  • Ask many questions
  • Don’t pretend that you’re okay
  • Tell your therapist anything and everything – there is no judgement here
  • Continue to work outside of your sessions
  • Focus on your goals

Take the First Step

Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy have practices in Lewes and Hove with our client base spanning across Sussex, London and even further afield. We are fully qualified to work with all types of anxiety, so get in touch with us today to see how we can help you. We will find a date and time that works best for you and ensure you feel as comfortable and safe as possible throughout the whole process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anxiety?  Read more

    Anxiety is an emotion, but unlike other emotions, we often don’t understand why we are feeling anxious.  It can be uncomfortable and make us feel restless and unable to concentrate, calm down or switch off. Everyone feels anxious at some point in life and anxiety can help us to feel motivated. However, if our anxiety levels are too high then anxiety can become debilitating and lead to panic attacks. Anxiety is linked to depression and many people who suffer from one will also suffer from the other.

    How do I know if I am suffering with anxiety?  Read more

    Anxiety affects our bodies as well as our minds. If you are suffering from too much anxiety, you will likely find that your mind struggles to concentrate on tasks as well as ‘switch off’. And your body may feel agitated with you noticing an increased heart rate, tension and possible panic attacks. If your symptoms are ongoing or frequent then it is likely that you are struggling to cope with your anxiety levels.

    How do I find a psychotherapist of psychologist I want to work with?  Read more

    At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies. On our website, you can view each profile of our associates and contact them directly using the form on their profile page. You can also use our handy search function to find the right practitioner for your needs.

    How long will it take for me to see a psychologist or psychotherapist  Read more

    We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours. You may either contact one of our practitioners directly via their profile page, or you can contact us directly and we will assist you in finding the right person to see as soon as possible. If the practitioner you wish to see has space then an appointment can usually be arranged within a week and sometimes much sooner.

    How can I get in touch with you?  Read moreYou can find your ideal practitioner through our integrated search function. Simply fill out a form on our website and we will reply to you directly.

    What age groups of clients do you work with?  Read moreWe have psychotherapists and psychologists trained to work with every age group from infants through to adults.

    Do you offer evening and/or weekend sessions?  Read moreWe offer sessions every day of the week including on Saturdays and sessions are available into the evening.

    What are your fees?  Read more

    Our fees are set by each practitioner depending on the type of therapy, the frequency of sessions and other factors. As a guide, the fees for an individual therapy session for 50 minutes starts from £70 per session. Fees will differ depending on whether our practitioner is working with individuals, couples or groups.

    Is there parking near your Hove and Lewes practices?  Read moreBoth our Hove and Lewes practices are centrally located close to train stations, bus routes and with on-street parking.

    Get in touch today to find out more or book yourself an initial consultation. At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we have two physical practices, one in Hove and one in Lewes, where we offer a full range of psychological therapies. On our website, you can view each profile of our associates and contact them directly using the form on their profile page. You can also use our handy search function to find the right practitioner for your needs.

    We also offer online anxiety therapy.

    All the content on this page has been reviewed and vetted by Mark Vahrmeyer UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Co-Founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy. For any questions or more information about the subjects discussed on this page please contact us.


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