Anxiety is a word used to describe many different experiences.
For one person, it means worrying about almost everything. For another, it appears only when they have to drive, fly or speak in front of a group.
Some people feel anxious mainly in their thoughts. Others notice their heart racing, their breathing changing or a sudden need to escape.
You may recognise yourself in more than one description. That is common, and you don’t need to decide which label fits before asking for help.
This page explains some of the patterns people often describe and where you can find more information.
General anxiety and constant worry
Some anxiety seems to move from one subject to another.
You may worry about work, health, money, family or something that might happen in the future. As soon as one concern settles, another takes its place.
You might feel:
- unable to switch off
- restless or physically tense
- easily irritated
- tired from constantly thinking
- unable to concentrate
- worried that something has been forgotten
- unable to enjoy calm periods because you are waiting for the next problem
When worry has become part of most days, it can be difficult to remember what a genuinely settled mind feels like.
Generalised anxiety disorder is a recognised condition that should be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified professional. Occasional worry, even when it feels uncomfortable, doesn’t automatically mean that you have an anxiety disorder.
Panic attacks and fear of physical sensations
A panic attack can involve a sudden surge of fear with very strong physical sensations.
Your heart may race, your breathing can feel difficult and you may become dizzy, shaky or detached from what is happening. Some people fear that they are about to faint, lose control or experience a medical emergency.
Afterwards, attention can become focused on whether another attack might happen.
You may begin checking how your body feels, avoiding places where escape seems difficult or staying close to somebody who makes you feel safer.
New, severe or unexplained symptoms should always be medically assessed because physical health problems can produce similar sensations.
Read about panic attacks and anxiety support
Fears and phobias
A phobia is a strong and persistent fear connected with a particular object, animal, situation or activity.
Common examples include:
- flying
- driving
- needles and medical procedures
- heights
- enclosed spaces
- animals or insects
- vomiting
You may understand that the level of fear is out of proportion and still experience a powerful physical response when the situation approaches.
Avoidance can bring immediate relief, but it may also begin to affect travel, work, relationships or healthcare decisions.
Social anxiety
Social anxiety involves more than simply preferring your own company or feeling shy occasionally.
You may become very self-conscious when meeting people, speaking in a group, eating in front of others or feeling that attention is focused on you.
Common worries include:
- saying the wrong thing
- going blank
- being judged
- blushing or shaking
- appearing awkward
- having nothing interesting to say
- replaying the encounter afterwards
Some people avoid social situations. Others attend but spend much of the time monitoring themselves instead of joining in.
Where social anxiety is persistent or significantly affects daily life, a GP or NHS Talking Therapies can help with assessment and established psychological treatment.
Anxiety in particular situations
You may feel generally comfortable until a particular event approaches.
Public speaking, examinations, interviews, driving tests and medical appointments can all bring anticipatory anxiety. You may start worrying days or weeks beforehand and repeatedly imagine what could go wrong.
This does not always mean that somebody has an anxiety disorder. The situation may simply have become associated with pressure, an earlier difficult experience or a fear of being judged.
My Situational Anxiety pages cover public speaking, tests, driving, flying and blushing in more detail.
Health anxiety
Health anxiety can involve persistent worry that you are ill or may become ill.
You may repeatedly check your body, search online, ask for reassurance or find it difficult to trust the reassurance you receive. A new sensation can quickly lead to imagining the most serious explanation.
Physical symptoms should still be taken seriously and assessed appropriately. It is important not to dismiss a symptom simply because anxiety may also be present.
The difficulty arises when checking and reassurance provide only brief relief before another concern takes their place.
Health anxiety can require psychological support through your GP or NHS Talking Therapies.
Emetophobia
Emetophobia is an intense fear connected with vomiting, feeling sick or seeing somebody else become unwell.
It can affect food choices, travel, social situations, medication and contact with other people.
Some people repeatedly check food dates or information about illnesses. Others restrict what they eat or avoid places where they fear somebody may become unwell.
Because severe food restriction and repeated checking can require specialist help, it is important to consider the wider effect on health and daily life.
Read about emetophobia and anxiety support
Anxiety, intrusive thoughts and OCD
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that appear in the mind.
Many people experience them. With OCD, a distressing thought may be followed by checking, reassurance-seeking or another action intended to reduce anxiety or create certainty.
That action can provide temporary relief, but the doubt often returns.
OCD is a recognised mental-health condition with established treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention. My hypnotherapy sessions do not replace OCD treatment.
Read about OCD and intrusive thoughts
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Long periods of pressure can create many of the same experiences associated with anxiety.
You may feel tense, irritable, unable to switch off or permanently alert to the next demand. Sleep and concentration can also be affected.
Sometimes the most useful starting point is to look at what has been happening in your life, how much you are carrying and where there may be room for support or change.
Read about chronic stress and emotional wellbeing
Can different patterns overlap?
Yes.
Somebody may experience general worry alongside panic attacks. A fear of driving can grow after a frightening physical sensation. Social anxiety may become mixed with worry about blushing, shaking or going blank.
OCD, depression, trauma, physical health conditions and the effects of medication or substances can also form part of the wider picture.
This is why it is rarely helpful to diagnose yourself from a list on a website. Your experience deserves more attention than simply finding the nearest label.
Where hypnotherapy may fit
Hypnotherapy can help relieve anxiety.
Where it is suitable, sessions may include guided relaxation, imagery and mental rehearsal connected with the situations you find difficult.
We begin with what anxiety is like for you and what you would like to be able to do more comfortably. I don’t diagnose anxiety disorders, and I won’t assume that every physical or emotional difficulty has anxiety as its cause.
You can read more about my approach on the Hypnotherapy for Anxiety in Hayle page.
Finding the right starting point
Please speak to your GP about symptoms that are new, severe, persistent or unexplained.
If anxiety is significantly affecting daily life, your GP or NHS Talking Therapies can help you access appropriate psychological support. You can often refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP first.
Hypnotherapy sits alongside other care where it is appropriate. Continue prescribed treatment unless the professional responsible for your care advises otherwise.
If you are unsure where your concern fits, you are welcome to send me a brief message. I’ll explain whether my approach seems suitable and suggest another starting point when needed.