Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, and the level of intensity can range from mild to severe. If you live near Coquitlam or Port Moody, our counsellors can help you address the effects of anxiety so that you can lead a more normal life. This article will help you get a handle on what anxiety is, who suffers from it, and how you can get help to fight back.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is all too often misunderstood and lots of people still possess a very poor understanding of this very real and distressing condition that affects many people. It’s far more than merely being worried or stressed out about something and it lasts a lot longer than the typical feelings we experience in stressful situations on a day-to-day basis.

Usually, when what causes us to feel anxious goes away, so do our feelings of anxiety. However, those feelings remain for people who experience ongoing anxiety and often for no apparent reason. That could result in a detrimental impact on our daily life, making it hard to cope when carrying out basic tasks.

When is Anxiety a problem?

Anxiety is a perfectly normal part of modern life. Most of us react to situations and events in different ways, and anxiety is a common feeling that usually passes when we learn how to cope with a specific stressor. However, for some people, anxiety can stick around, and they can lose the ability to determine when and how they worry.

Many things can bring on anxiety, such as:

• PTSD

• Social anxiety disorder

• Phobias, like agoraphobia or claustrophobia

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions that people experience. Millions of people and thousands of Canadians will suffer from ongoing anxiety at some point in their lives. Although it’s normal to have feelings of anxiety at stressful times, if it becomes more than that, it’s time to be proactive and make a change. 

When anxiety begins to affect your everyday life, getting some help will enable you to learn some methods for coping with the condition. The great news is that doing so is relatively simple, there is much help available, and you’ve got a great chance of recovering from anxiety when you reach out.

What does Anxiety feel like?

Anxiety can become a relatively long-term condition. It’s typically not related to one single fear, event, or task and can be a general feeling of unease that’s not triggered by a specific thing. Anxiety makes it hard for us to relax and switch off. We may feel restless most of the time and have difficulty concentrating on normal tasks. Anxiety can also lead to heart palpitations or feeling physically unwell.

What causes Anxiety?

Anxiety can be extremely challenging to pin down, and many people may experience these feelings for a variety of reasons.

Typically, patients end up with ongoing anxiety for more than one reason and develop feelings because of a combination of factors that may include things like: 

• Chemical imbalances in the brain associated with serotonin and noradrenaline, which govern moods

• Genetic factors

• Extremely stressful or traumatic experiences, such as child abuse and domestic violence

• Long-term illness or health problems associated with injury. 

• Chronic conditions, such as arthritis

• Drug or alcohol abuse

• Addictions, such as gambling

It’s vital to remember that if you can’t pin down a probable cause of anxiety, it doesn’t mean you’re not suffering from the condition. Many people feel anxious for no apparent reason.

Treating Anxiety – Clinical Counselling in Port Moody and Coquitlam

Anxiety isn’t an impossible condition – although, sometimes, for some people, it can begin to feel like it is.

It’s essential to get help with anxiety as soon as possible, and it can be successfully treated in several ways, such as:

• Psychological therapy and counselling.

• Medicines like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

You can help yourself with anxiety too. Many patients experience improvements when they give up smoking, reducing their alcohol intake, and even consuming less caffeine can help.

In addition to those things, getting more exercise is one of the most beneficial things someone with ongoing anxiety can consider. 

If you live in Port Moody or Coquitlam, counselling services can provide an effective way to tackle some of the effects of anxiety. Here at Inspine Therapy, our experienced, friendly clinical counsellors have a range of treatments aimed at making it easier to cope with anxiety and control how it affects your life.

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Inspine Therapy is a multi-disciplinary clinic located in the heart of Port Moody. We care about providing fundamental healing through all-in-one care that focuses on helping you recover, improve, and optimize your health until you're in the best condition possible. 

Our services include massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, active rehab, clinical counselling, and pilates. Visit our newly renovated clinic and book your appointment today!