1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue such as anxiety each year.

Anxiety is a natural function of evolutionary survival and most people will experience mild anxiety at some point or another, it is a normal part of our lives. If we start to experience intense or prolonged periods of anxiety lasting more than a week then it is something that we need to look at, process and understand.

During our evolution as a species, we developed a very effective unconscious survival response.

You may have heard of the Fight, Flight, Freeze response?

Fight, Flight or Freeze is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a real or perceived harmful event, attack or threat to our survival.

Controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, this response is unconscious and prepares the individual, quite literally, to fight, to flee or to freeze from whatever danger they are facing. This response shuts off blood supply to the digestive and reproductive systems and increases heart rate and blood supply to the legs.

The Triggers of Anxiety

In our modern day lives, however, this response can actually become counter-productive when the ‘threat’ is not a sabre tooth tiger or a bear but financial stress, family relational issues, excessive workload or Exams, for example.

When we experience stressful or traumatic events in our lives, this physiological response is triggered and if our nervous system is under prolonged stress for any length of time we may start to operate within the fight or flight response permanently. This is termed chronic stress and can lead mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and also physical illnesses too.

There are other contributing factors and underlying causes, that may contribute to the development of a mental health issue such as anxiety, these factors include; personality, family history of mental illness, alcohol and drug use or addiction, underlying medical conditions and medication can also cause anxiety as a side-effect.

How do you know you need help with Anxiety?

Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and/or panic attacks. These feelings of anxiety and panic can reach the stage where it starts to interfere with your day to day life, can be difficult to control and in extreme cases can be debilitating.

You may find you feel you need to avoid places or situations as a coping strategy or mechanism to prevent these experiences. Symptoms can often begin in childhood or the early teen years and if left untreated can continue through adult life. They may become increasingly hard to cope with, or you may have periods of good mental health interspersed with periods of relapse depending on your individual circumstances.

Some examples of anxiety disorders are; Generalised Anxiety Disorder (G.A.D), Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Disorder.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety are:

Feeling nervous/tense/restless.

Increased Heart Rate

Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.

Feeling weak or fatigued

Sweating

Shaking or Trembling

Trouble Concentrating

Having trouble sleeping

Breathing Rapidly (Hyperventilating)

Experiencing Gastro-Intestinal Issues

Having difficulty controlling worry/ racing thoughts.

Having the urge to avoid certain things or situations that trigger anxiety.

Whatever form of anxiety you are experiencing, treatment can help! So please reach out and speak to someone about how you are feeling.

How can Hypnotherapy help me overcome Anxiety?

Hypnotherapy when combined with Psychotherapy is very effective at treating anxiety disorders as it enables access to the unconscious mind, bypassing any conscious blocks we may have developed as coping strategies over the years.

I am an integrative Hypno-Psychotherapist, using a mind-body, holistic approach with Solution Focused techniques, we can look at how and why you are feeling the way you are.

I have a variety of tools & techniques that we can use to help you explore safely and ecologically, the root causes of your anxiety. We will then work through and overcome the Anxiety so you are able to enjoy the calm, confident and fulfilling life you deserve.

I work with clients online and and close to areas such as Esher, Surbiton, Leatherhead, Epsom, Kingston-upon-Thames and Weybridge. If you - or someone you know - need help overcoming Anxiety then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Emergency Support

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis it is vital you access the right support as soon as possible. Below are some ways in which you can access expert advice and assessment.

Samaritans - call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

A free and confidential 24/7 helpline for anyone in emotional crisis or distress, feeling suicidal or feeling unable to cope.

NHS 111

Call the NHS on 111 or use the online service to access support - If you feel yourself or a loved one is in immediate danger then please call 999.