Anxiety disorders encompass a range of experiences, including generalised anxiety disorder (persistent and difficult-to-control worry), panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, specific phobias, and OCD-related presentations. What these conditions share is a pattern of excessive fear or worry that is disproportionate to the actual situation and significantly affects quality of life.
Common signs and presentations
You may be experiencing anxiety disorders if you recognise any of the following:
- Persistent worry that is difficult to switch off, even when things are objectively fine
- Physical symptoms including racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or muscle tension
- Panic attacks: sudden, intense waves of fear accompanied by physical symptoms
- Social anxiety: fear of judgment, embarrassment, or scrutiny in social situations
- Avoidance of places, people, or situations that trigger anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping: racing thoughts, difficulty switching off at night
- Irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a constant sense of being ‘on edge’
- Health anxiety: persistent fear about having a serious illness despite medical reassurance
- Overthinking and catastrophising: imagining worst-case scenarios as likely outcomes
What to expect in sessions
Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of your specific anxiety profile, triggers, and history. Together we develop a personalised plan combining psychoeducation, practical coping strategies, and structured therapeutic work. Many clients notice meaningful change within 8 to 12 sessions. Some need more; others need less. What matters is not the number of sessions but the quality of the work, and your ability to take what you learn into your daily life.