Anxiety

Anxiety can affect people in many different ways. For some, it feels like constant worrying or overthinking. For others, it can feel physical — a racing heart, tight chest, feeling shaky or sick, difficulty sleeping, panic attacks or a sense that something bad is going to happen.

You might find yourself replaying conversations, worrying about what people think, avoiding situations, struggling to switch off, expecting the worst or feeling constantly on edge. Sometimes you may not even know why you feel anxious.

Anxiety can be connected to what is happening in your life now, but it can also be linked to past experiences, childhood, relationships, trauma, loss, stress or times when you have not felt safe or in control. Your mind and body can sometimes continue responding to danger even when the original experience has passed.

Counselling gives you space to understand what may be underneath your anxiety, rather than simply trying to make the feelings disappear. Together, we can explore your triggers, recognise patterns and find ways of managing difficult thoughts and feelings so anxiety does not have to control so much of your life.

If you need urgent support

Evoak Counselling is not an emergency or crisis service. If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or need immediate mental health support, please seek urgent help.

You can call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, contact your GP or attend your nearest A&E. If there is an immediate danger to life, call 999. Samaritans are also available free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123