Persistent worry that feels difficult to control
UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY
Anxiety
When worry begins to take up too much space.
Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty, pressure, or perceived danger. It can become difficult when worry remains present for long periods, feels hard to control, or begins to affect your daily life.
UNDERSTANDING THE EXPERIENCE
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety can affect thoughts, emotions, the body, and behaviour. Some people experience constant worry, while others notice panic, physical tension, avoidance, irritability, or difficulty feeling safe even when no immediate danger is present.
COMMON SIGNS
The experience may look different for every person.
Anxiety can look different from one person to another. Common experiences may include:
Restlessness, tension, or feeling constantly alert
Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or dizziness
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Avoiding situations because they feel overwhelming
Sleep difficulties, fatigue, or irritability
WHEN TO SEEK SUPPORT
You do not need to wait until things become unbearable.
You may consider speaking with a therapist when anxiety begins to interfere with your wellbeing, relationships, work, studies, or ability to participate in everyday life.
Begin BookingIT MAY BE TIME TO SPEAK WITH A THERAPIST IF:
Worry occupies a large part of your day
You avoid people, places, or responsibilities
Physical symptoms feel intense or frightening
Your usual coping strategies are no longer helping
HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY MAY HELP
Therapy offers space to understand the experience and build new responses.
Psychotherapy can help you understand what contributes to anxiety and develop more balanced ways of responding to anxious thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
Recognise triggers
Explore situations, thoughts, and experiences that intensify anxiety.
Understand patterns
Notice cycles of worry, avoidance, reassurance seeking, and temporary relief.
Build coping skills
Develop practical ways to regulate emotions and respond to stress.
Restore confidence
Gradually reconnect with situations that anxiety may have made difficult.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
Treatment is adapted to each person's needs.
The therapeutic approach will depend on your experience, needs, preferences, and the therapist's clinical assessment.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Explores connections between thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical responses.
Acceptance-based approaches
Support a different relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions.
Psychodynamic therapy
Explores deeper emotional patterns and past experiences that may shape anxiety.
An important note
This page provides general information and is not intended to diagnose a condition or replace a professional medical or psychological assessment. Some people may require support from a doctor, psychiatrist, or specialist service alongside psychotherapy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Some questions you may be carrying.
No single experience applies to everyone. A therapist can help you understand what is happening within your individual circumstances.
No. Anxiety is a normal human response. It may require professional support when it becomes persistent, overwhelming, difficult to control, or disruptive to daily life.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Emotional experiences can overlap and may not fit within one category.
You can explore all areas of support or begin finding a therapist whose experience corresponds to your needs.
AAN Psychotherapy
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Begin with a few simple steps. Answer some questions, explore available therapists, and choose a time that works for you.