Anxiety and depression are two of the most common reasons for people to seek out counselling. It is natural to experience ups and downs in life, times of increased stress and anxiety, depending on the circumstances. It’s when mood and anxiety start getting in the way of our ability to function, preoccupy our days, or prevent us from getting rest at night, that seeking help may be necessary. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having a few sessions to learn new skills that help with regulating emotions and alleviating anxiety levels. Other times, we may need a little more time to focus on the root of these patterns, so that long-term you can experience less suffering and increased success in managing overall.

Anxiety can manifest itself in multiple ways. Some common themes are: 

• Excessive worrying
• Difficulty sleeping, restlessness
• Increased fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physiological symptoms – chest pains, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, feeling hot, sweaty or shaky
• Increased irritability with others
• Feeling that something bad is going to happen
• Avoid situations you cannot predict or control