{"id":260,"date":"2014-04-25T13:23:19","date_gmt":"2014-04-25T13:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.normanclaringbull.co.uk\/?p=260"},"modified":"2014-04-25T13:23:19","modified_gmt":"2014-04-25T13:23:19","slug":"psychotherapist-in-southampton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/normanclaringbull.onplexaweb.co.uk\/index.php\/2014\/04\/25\/psychotherapist-in-southampton\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog Post – May 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANXIETY & STRESS<\/p>\n

Here in the New Forest it looks like spring has sprung \u2013 at last. Even looking out over Southampton, we can see some hints of colour and growth. In such happier times it seems almost perverse to start talking about our anxieties and worries. However, we all get anxious; we all get stressed; we have all been there. \"Anxiety\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The symptoms of anxiety can appear in the mind, (worry, fear, dread, irritability, etc.), or in the body, (palpitations, trembling, sweating, upset tummy, and so on). These days GPs are seeing more and more patients whose anxiety levels are worrying. About 10% of the population suffer from troubling levels of anxiety that are \u2018clinically significant\u2019 and about 4% of the population see a doctor about this problem.<\/p>\n

Of course not all anxiety or stress is bad for you. It\u2019s natural to feel worried about an urgent problem. On the other hand, if increased anxiety helps us to concentrate better and if increased stress ups our performance then that\u2019s a good thing. Of course when our anxieties get too intense, when they go on for too long, when we find ourselves getting overly anxious or irrationally worried without any obvious cause, when anxiety disrupts our lives, then that\u2019s unhealthy.<\/p>\n

So, anxiety, (stress), is neither good nor bad. It is how it affects you that matters. Does it help or does it hinder? Is your level of anxiety OK for you or is it a problem? Anxiety becomes harmful when it starts to overwhelm your ability to cope with life. If stress gets too much to bear, then you can all too easily lose your ability to get by and to manage your life. That\u2019s when you need help<\/p>\n

So, how do you get help? The first rule has to be: \u2018check with your Doctor\u2019. This is because sometimes what seem to be anxiety symptoms might actually be the result of a physical illness. However, if your doctor tells you that you are generally fit then it is very likely that your symptoms are due to one of the anxiety disorders. That\u2019s when you need to see a psychotherapist or a counsellor. In most cases the available psychological treatments are very effective and most patients start to experience some benefits in about 2 \u2013 4 therapy sessions.<\/p>\n

So, don\u2019t put up with anxiety, (stress) \u2013 get help \u2013 the treatments work!<\/p>\n

Remember<\/p>\n