Your guide to... Overcoming anxiety - Priory Group

One of a series of informative factsheets on acute mental health conditions from Priory Healthcare

Your guide to... Overcoming anxiety About anxiety If you feel irritable and nervous, find it difficult to sleep, or avoid certain situations for fear of panicking; you may be experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder. This leaflet helps you understand anxiety, and how you can overcome it. When you are placed into a frightening situation, your body releases the hormone adrenaline. Many years ago, this hormone would have helped our ancestors to escape or fight their aggressors. This surge of adrenaline is called the ‘fight or flight’ response, and the unpleasant physical symptoms of anxiety are the by-product of this natural hormonal instinct.

Who gets anxiety? We can all suffer anxiety in certain situations, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or through over working. But some people have an anxious personality and can suffer from the symptoms of anxiety for no obvious reason.

What are the symptoms of anxiety? Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

What are the different types of anxiety? Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is an extreme form of worry, with no apparent cause. GAD sufferers find it hard to relax and sleep, and suffer many physical symptoms. People with panic disorders have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly, with no warning. This may cause an individual to avoid everyday activities such as shopping, driving or, in extreme cases, leaving the house (a condition known as agoraphobia).

• finding it difficult to breathe • a tight chest • shaking • palpitations • a dry mouth • blurred vision • feeling sick • loose bowels • urinating frequently • muscle tension • extreme tiredness • hot and cold flushes Psychological symptoms include fear and worry about a situation. Sufferers commonly feel that they are losing control, cannot cope or that they are having a heart attack.

Phobic anxiety is a fear of particular situations or objects, that causes you to avoid them. This affects around 10% of the population. Common phobias are spiders, dogs, heights and injuries involving blood. Social phobia is an extreme form of shyness where a person's fear of being judged by others leads to them blushing or being sick.

These thoughts make the physical symptoms worse, creating a vicious circle resulting in states of anxiety.

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What can I do to avoid anxiety?

How is anxiety treated?

There are a number of things that can help you to avoid anxiety:

Contacting your GP is often the easiest way to get help and further treatment. He or she may offer you counselling, or refer you to a specialist for further assessment. This may lead to outpatient treatment or, if more serious, day or inpatient treatment.

• allow time for relaxation, hobbies and having fun • avoid rushing, trying to do too much, or being too competitive • get enough sleep and take regular exercise • avoid smoking • limit your intake of caffeine-based drinks and alcohol • avoid cannabis and other illegal drugs • make a ‘problem list’ and try and tackle the things on it one by one, rather than allowing yourself to be overwhelmed

If you're worried about talking to your GP, consider writing down your concerns and questions, or take a friend or family member with you. The type of professional support offered will depend upon the services that are available in your area and the arrangements that your clinical commissioning group (CCG) have with other health authorities or private providers. Treatment for stress and anxiety is also available privately through the Priory Group.

• ask yourself, 'what's the worst thing that can happen? Is it so bad really?’

When is medication prescribed? Medication is useful in cases of severe anxiety, panic disorder and depression. The most useful drugs are SSRI anti-depressants - these are non-addictive but only work after several weeks. There are also other forms of medication, which can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety or provide short term relief.

What therapy is used to treat anxiety disorders? Cognitive behaviour therapy is the recommended form of treatment for generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Psychological therapy usually involves one to two sessions each week for about six to eight weeks. Phobias can be treated with behavioural exercises such as exposure (gradually introducing the person to the object or situation that they are afraid of).

Finding help If you feel that you or a close relative are affected by anxiety and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP or contact any of the following organisations: Triumph over phobia Depression Alliance NHS 111 The Priory Group

www.topuk.org www.depressionalliance.org www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk www.priorygroup.com

0845 600 9601 0845 123 23 20 111 0845 277 4679

For more information or to book an appointment at your local Priory hospital, please call 0845 277 4679 or email [email protected]

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