Therapy for Anxiety

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety can feel like your mind is a browser with too many tabs open—each one buzzing with worries, what-ifs, and worst-case scenarios. It’s not just about feeling nervous; it’s like your body and brain are stuck in overdrive, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Whether it’s social situations, work stress, or just the weight of daily life, anxiety can make it hard to catch your breath. It’s a natural response to stress, but when it becomes constant or overwhelming, it can interfere with daily life and emotional well-being. Understanding how anxiety works is the first step toward managing it.

How and Where Does It Show Up?

Anxiety doesn’t always look the same. For some, it’s a constant hum of worry in the background. For others, it’s sudden panic attacks that feel like a tidal wave crashing over you. It can show up as overthinking, racing thoughts, or difficulty making decisions. Physically, you might experience a racing heart, sweating, muscle tension, stomachaches, or trouble sleeping. Emotionally, anxiety can make you feel restless, irritable, or disconnected. You might start avoiding social situations, overplanning, or seeking reassurance to calm your mind. Anxiety is not just “in your head”—it’s a full-body experience that affects how you think, feel, and act.

What Are Our Approaches? How Can Therapy Help?

At Talking Distance, we understand that anxiety isn’t just about feeling stressed—it’s about how your mind and body respond to pressure and uncertainty. Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about giving you tools to understand and manage your anxiety in a way that works for you. We’ll work together to identify the patterns fueling your anxiety and explore strategies to quiet the mental noise. This includes building skills to stay grounded, improving emotional regulation, and creating a balanced approach to handling stress. Therapy helps you shift from reacting to managing—so you feel more in control, even when life feels chaotic.

Self-Assessment - Do I Have Anxiety?

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References

Goldberg, D. P., & Williams, P. (1988). A User’s Guide to the General Health Questionnaire. Windsor, UK: NFER-Nelson.
Snaith, R. P., Hamilton, M., Morley, S., Humayan, A., Hargreaves, D., & Trigwell, P. (1995). A scale for the assessment of hedonic tone: The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 167(1), 99–103.

FAQs: About Anxiety and Therapy

Can therapy really help with anxiety?

Absolutely. Therapy provides tools to manage anxiety, understand its root causes, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. It’s not about eliminating anxiety completely—it’s about learning how to navigate it more effectively.

What if I don’t want to talk about my deepest fears?

That’s okay! Therapy at Talking Distance moves at your pace. We can start with practical strategies and only explore deeper issues when you feel comfortable.

How do I stop overthinking everything?

Therapy helps you explore techniques to break the cycle of overthinking, such as grounding exercises, reframing negative thoughts, and building mindfulness skills.

What if my anxiety feels physical, like a racing heart or stomachache?

Anxiety often shows up in the body. Therapy can help you work on calming physical symptoms through breathwork, relaxation techniques, and body-centred strategies.

Yes! Therapy can help you build confidence, manage anxious thoughts, and find ways to navigate social situations so they feel less overwhelming.

How long does it take to feel better?

It depends on your personal journey. Some people notice improvements in a few sessions, while others take longer to develop long-term strategies. The goal is progress, not perfection.