Anxiety

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Anxiety disorder in Singapore is common that an estimated 6% of the population suffer from some mental anxiety.

Anxiety feels like a constant feeling of worry, overthinking, stress and fear of being judged. It can happen to anyone and for no reason and the constant worry and nervousness gets worse over time. Sometimes you just want to breakdown and cry.

Anxiety can sometimes appear like ADHD. You feel restless and can’t focus. The constant uneasiness and fear upon waking everyday is a like a neurotransmitter that triggers a fight or flight reflex that makes it very difficult for you to function during the day. And this neurosis (a strong feeling of fear or worry) can be over nothing and sometimes lead to irrational thoughts like quitting your job, or even suicide.

Anxiety can destroy our lives, by hurting our work performance, relationships with family and be so frustrating because you just want it to end.

19 Signs you have Anxiety

  1. Fast heartbeat / Heart palpitations / breathing becomes faster

  2. Chest pain and tightness / Difficulty breathing / Shortness of breath

  3. Panic attacks the feel like a heart attack or stroke

  4. Nausea / Feel like throwing up / Dry retching

  5. Sweaty palms / Hands trembling / Body shaking / Tingling sensations

  6. Can’t concentrate / Mind goes numb / Paralysed

  7. Phobias - fear of crowded places, presentations, dirt and germs

  8. Worrying about what others think / Feeling judged

  9. Dizzy / Losing Control / Blackout and faint

  10. “Kan Cheong” / Need to micro-manage everything

  11. Feeling Helpless / Hopeless

  12. Worry/ Scared of the future / Sense of dread

  13. Constantly nervous / Restless / Can’t sit still

  14. Overwhelmed / Breakdown and cry

  15. Chronic overthinking / Mind constantly active worrying about health, work. situations or certain people

  16. Poor sleep / Night sweats

  17. Feeling tense / Muscle tightness / Eye and facial twitches / Hot flushes

  18. Self doubt / Low self confidence / Feel like you are failing

  19. Gastric reflux / IBS / Stomach ache / Ulcers

Click here for Teenage Anxiety

Chan: Social Anxiety and Panic Attacks

If giving a presentation and being the focus of attention can cause your heart to race and feel nervous or panic, you could have social anxiety.

Here is a video testimonial from Chan a working expat professional in Singapore and a young mother, who overcame 7 years of Social Anxiety in just 4 sessions at Stress.SG.

Deric: Panic Attacks and Anxiety

It is understandable that Anxiety sufferers seek a non-medication solution. And it is possible with the right counsellor. Here is the story of Deric who stopped his Anxiety medication for 9 months and experienced an anxiety relapse, worse than before. He has since overcome his anxiety and panic attacs through Stress.SG's 5 session program and is feeling much happier. Here is his journey.…

Types of Anxiety Disorders

  1. Obsessive compulsive disorder / O.C.D - Constantly washing hands, Checking, Super high attention to details

  2. Anxiety attacks / panic attacks - chest pains, difficulty breathing, wet palms and trembling of the body

  3. Specific phobias - Fear of heights, fear of spiders, fear of germs

  4. PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder - Death of a loved one, Diagnosed with cancer

  5. Social anxiety - Fear of public speaking, Inability to express ideas to a group

  6. Separation anxiety disorder - Fear of losing someone or bring alone

Someone could suffer from more than one type of anxiety disorder and this could be the result of trauma, a significant life event or even a medical condition.

The good news is that no matter what type of anxiety you suffer from, snxiety counselling and therapy can help. With any condition, address it immediately.

11 Common triggers for Anxiety

  1. Stress from heavy workloads, tight deadlines, uncertainties at work

  2. Health worries

  3. Difficult colleage or boss who makes us feel scared to go to work

  4. Toxic work environment

  5. Burden of ageing parents or in-laws that are just plain toxic

  6. Worry about our children’s health and how they are performing in school

  7. Job insecurity as we are not doing well in our job and worry about the future

  8. Worry about how others thinks of us

  9. Trauma from being bullied, abused or molested

How to Cope with Anxiety

  1. Avoidance You find yourself avoiding situations that in the past triggers uncomfortable feeling and panic attack.

  2. Distraction Social media, gaming, Netflix and YouTube. Binging on videos and occupying the mind somehow makes you feel more at ease.

  3. Alcohol and Drugs Drinking numbs the feelings and helps us forget

  4. Food Over-eating gives you a sense of comfort

Coping with anxiety is tiring and frustrating. Sometime you might feel so depressed that you just want it all to end. The good news is that the right Counsellor can help.

Anxiety is strongly linked to depression because after many failed attempts at trying to cope and avoid anxiety, you spiral into dysthymia or depression.

The long term effects of anxiety is poor health, poor sleep, stress and depression. Many long term sufferers are on anxiety medication. Thinking about this may give you a lump in your throat because you worry about the side effects. But sometimes, medication is the only way to lower anxiety to manageable levels that they are reasonable enough to take the next step and go for counselling and therapy.

It is important to know that you don't need to feel helpless or hopeless in your anxiety, stress or insomnia. There are many people out there just like you.

With the right therapy, the scale of the anxiety can be reduced and in many cases, the anxiety symptoms can be overcome.

Is Anxiety and Depression Genetic?

Could anxiety and depression be genetic? Did I inherit this from my parents or does it happen for no reason? The answer is No. From our experience, clients whose parents have anxiety and depression succeeded in overcoming anxiety and lift their mood to healthy levels.

You don't need to feel lonely, because you are not alone. Anxiety and depression is a mental illness that can be treated with the Right therapy.

Getting Medicated

Unfortunately, no medication cures anxiety or depression. Most drugs aim to just reduce the nervous feeings and help us sleep better. The problem is that sometimes, the medication itself gives us a headache and makes us more anxious.

If you have been to a polyclinic or the IMH (Institute of Mental Health) and have seen the psychiatrist and you are on medication, it's best that you follow their instructions. Even though you are seeking alternative treatment.

Anxiety relapse rates are very high for medication, so many take the next step towards resolving the root cause of the anxiety through counseling.

How to help someone with Anxiety

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What to do when someone you know has anxiety? The best helpline is to spot the signs of anxiety and encourage to get professional help.

Anxiety can literally change a persons life. A person could feel so nervous and fearful of crowded places that they avoid going to restaurants or even avoiding taking a holiday because they worry about being stuck in an aeroplan where they can’t escape the situation.

You may have asked someone you love that they need help but they said “No.” What next?

Keep trying. That person in most cases has tried or is trying to cope with the anxiety. But constantly failing may have sprialled them into a state of depression. But with depression, there will be times when they are actively searching for a solution and willing to get help.

There are many causes for anxiety. It could be caused by pressures from school or work, abuse, bullying or trauma in the past. It’s best to let the right Counselor resolve the root cause.

The best way to help is what you are doing right now, finding the right counselor for your loved one. And as you decide on the right counselor, start encouraging them to agree to counseling. Get them feeling confident they too can succeed by reading the latest client reviews or video testimonials. Keep encouraging them to get help. After some time, they might agree.

High Success Rates

Clients succeed every week. Anxiety and depression can be overcome with the right therapy. Make an appointment. Take the first step to finally feeling better.

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Anxiety & Depression Counselling and Therapy can help many people suffering from anxiety feel safe.

With the right therapy, anxiety attacks, which in the past happened often and was so intense, can occur less frequently and reduce significantly in severity.

For a good percentage of clients at Stress.SG, anxiety can be overcome with high success rates, allowing you to become finally become free from anxious feelings and panic attacks.

Anxiety and Depression Counselling and Therapy