We all experience anxiety from time to time. What differentiates normal levels of anxiety from an anxiety disorder is how excessive and persistent it is, how much distress it is causing us, and how much it is impacting important areas of our life (e.g., school, job, relationships).
Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of life. However, anxiety can become more challenging when it begins to interfere with daily functioning. An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry or fear that is difficult to control and negatively impacts your quality of life.
In many cases, anxiety affects both physical and emotional wellbeing. It may also interfere with everyday activities such as work, school, social engagement, or maintaining relationships.
Anxiety can look different from person to person, and symptoms may vary depending on the specific anxiety disorder. Still, there are several common signs that many individuals experience, ranging from mild to severe.
Physical symptoms may include a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, muscle tension, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Emotionally, anxiety often involves excessive fear or worry, persistent nervousness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating or staying focused.
From a behavioural perspective, anxiety may lead to avoidance of certain people, places, situations, or responsibilities in an effort to reduce distress.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves ongoing and excessive worry about everyday matters. Individuals may find themselves preoccupied with “what if” thoughts and have difficulty staying present in the moment.
Agoraphobia is marked by intense fear related to leaving home or being in public spaces. Often, this fear is linked to concerns about having a panic attack or being unable to escape a situation.
Social Anxiety Disorder involves a strong fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated by others. As a result, individuals may avoid social situations or endure them with significant distress.
Specific phobias involve intense and irrational fears of particular objects, situations, or activities. These fears may include animals, vomiting (emetophobia), or enclosed spaces, among others.
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. During these episodes, individuals experience a sudden surge of fear accompanied by intense physical sensations.
Several evidence-based therapeutic approaches have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Treatment is typically tailored to each individual’s needs and experiences.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helps individuals understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Through this approach, clients learn to identify unhelpful patterns and develop healthier ways of responding to anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy incorporates mindfulness-based strategies to help individuals relate differently to their thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, ACT focuses on identifying personal values and taking meaningful action despite discomfort.
Exposure therapy involves gradually and safely facing feared situations or stimuli. By working collaboratively with a therapist, individuals can reduce avoidance and become less sensitive to anxiety triggers over time.
For some individuals, group therapy can be especially helpful when addressing social anxiety. Le Psych Loft offers an in-person social anxiety skills training group designed to provide practical tools, structured support, and opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.
If anxiety feels excessive, persistent, or overwhelming, and if it is significantly impacting your daily life, seeking professional support may be helpful. Therapy can offer guidance, understanding, and practical strategies for managing symptoms.
You may benefit from speaking with a therapist if anxiety leaves you feeling constantly preoccupied with worry, physically unwell, emotionally overwhelmed, or unable to keep up with work, school, or everyday responsibilities.
At Le Psych Loft, we understand that anxiety is unique to each person, which is why we work collaboratively with clients and are flexible in our approach based on individual client needs. If you are experiencing anxiety that is excessive and persistent and if it is causing you significant levels of distress and/or impacting important areas of your life then it is a good time to reach out for professional help.
Signs that you may want to speak to a professional include being preoccupied by your worries, feeling restless or irritable all the time, experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., racing heart, digestive issues, nausea, sleeping issues), having difficulty going to work or school, or keeping up with daily life because of your anxiety.
