Category: CBH - Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy

1. Do you know the signs and symptoms of anxiety?

   Posted on 8:00am Monday 19th Jun 2023

   Anxiety is a normal and natural response to stress and danger that is characterized by feelings of nervousness, fear, and apprehension. It is an emotion that is often also accompanied by physical sensations such as sweating, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. Anxiety can be a normal response to stress, but if it becomes excessive or persistent, it can interfere with daily activities and negatively impact your quality of life.  So if anxiety is a normal human experience how do we tell the difference between a normal level of anxiety and when we may need to seek support to manage it? 

   Signs and symptoms of anxiety

   Excessive worry or fear: People with problematic anxiety often experience persistent and excessive worry or fear about everyday situations or events.  It is often characterised by jumping to worst-case-scenarios or a level of fear that is significantly greater and therefore disproportionate to any actual rational risks. 

   Restlessness or feeling on edge: Anxiety can cause a sense of restlessness or feeling on edge that can be difficult to shake. 

   Difficulty concentrating: Anxiety can make it difficult to concentrate or focus on tasks, which can affect work or school performance. 

   Muscle tension: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as muscle tension, which can lead to headaches, back pain, or other physical discomfort. Often we're unaware we're holding this tension in our muscles, other than perhaps feeling over tired, until we actually look for it.

   Sleep disturbances: Anxiety can interfere with sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, resulting in fatigue or exhaustion 

   Irritability: Anxiety can make you irritable or snappy with people, sometimes because you are on edge or perhaps because they don’t understand how your anxieties are impactingyou. 

   Changes in appetite. 

   

2. Do You Have Social Anxiety? Recognising the Signs

   Posted on 8:00am Thursday 15th Jun 2023

   

   Anxiety can take many forms and impact individuals in different ways. For some, it may manifest as social anxiety - a condition where people experience intense feelings of fear and nervousness when placed in social situations. Social anxiety can be debilitating, making even the most routine interactions a daunting task. Recognising the signs and symptoms of social anxiety can support people to address the issue and receive the appropriate support. It's important to note that social anxiety is different from shyness, as it can significantly impact daily life and wellbeing. If you believe you may have social anxiety, it's important to seek support and learn coping strategies to manage these symptoms. 

   What is social anxiety? 

   Social anxiety is characterised by an excessive and persistent fear of being judged, scrutinised, or evaluated negatively by others in social situations. People with social anxiety often worry about how they come across to others, which can lead to an anxious and uncomfortable feeling in social situations. This fear can significantly impact a person's wellbeing and quality of life, making it difficult to engage in normal social interactions and activities. Social anxiety can range in severity from mild to severe, with some people experiencing it in specific situations, such as public speaking or meeting new people, while others may struggle with it in all social situations. Understanding what social anxiety is and the signs and symptoms associated with it is an essential first step in getting help and learning to manage the condition. 

   Signs and symptoms of social anxiety 

   People with social anxiety may experience some or many of the following symptoms: 

   • Constantly worrying about social situations 

   • Feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious around other people 

   • Difficulty engaging with conversations 

   • Feeling anxious in crowds  

   • Feeling anxious when meeting new people 

   • An intense fear of embarrassment, humiliation, or being judged negatively by others 

   • Avoiding social situations 

    

   Common physical symptoms of social anxiety include: 

   • Sweating 

   • Trembling 

   • Nausea 

   • Rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing 

   • Avoiding or struggling to make eye contact 

    

   Personal impacts of social anxiety 

   Because of these symptoms it’s understandable that people with social anxiety often have a strong desire to isolate themselves or stay at home, rather than attend social events or participate in activities that involve interacting with others. This is where social anxiety can significantly impact daily life and overall wellbeing.
   

    

   Here are some ways in which social anxiety may affect daily life: 

   1. Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships: People with social anxiety often find it challenging to form new relationships and maintain existing ones due to their fear of being judged or rejected. 

   2. Professional setbacks: Social anxiety can impact performance in professional settings, such as during interviews, presentations, or team meetings. This can lead to missed opportunities and reduced career growth. 

   3. Avoidance of social situations: People with social anxiety often avoid social situations, such as parties, gatherings, or even going out to public places like lead to feelings of isolation. 

   4. Physical symptoms: Social anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, and nausea, which can interfere with daily tasks and activities and cause people to avoid social situations further out of fear of being judged for these physical symptoms.   

   5. Emotional toll: Social anxiety can take an emotional toll, leading to feelings of embarrassment, shame, and self-doubt.