Author: Shahira Kamal
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues that a medical professional will encounter in clinical practice1. It can manifest in various ways, and so recognising and addressing anxiety effectively is crucial for providing comprehensive care.
Anxiety can be a normal response to stress or danger, often characterised by feelings of apprehension, tension, or worry. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent or exaggerated to the situation, it can interfere with daily life. Common anxiety disorders include Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and specific phobias2.
A good way to assess what people mean when they use the term ‘anxiety’ is to scan the different areas where anxiety can manifest; physical, behavioural, and psychological:
Physical: palpitations, cold sweats, panic attacks, moving physical symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, sleeplessness, and changes in appetite – these can all indicate anxiety. Yet people also often confuse the physical with the emotional. Those suffering with panic attacks, for example, often feel and believe they are in fact experiencing a heart attack or sudden increase in blood pressure. Or those suffering from Hypochondria believe their symptoms are indicative of sinister diseases. Constant anxiety in its various forms, can feel or cause acid reflux and other gastrointestinal issues.
Behavioural: health vigilance or avoiding social situations and medical appointments can also be indictors of anxiety. If clinicians suspect OCD, then it is also sensible to inquire about behaviours like locking of doors, turning lights off, counting or other similar repetitive behaviours.
Psychological/emotional: people living with anxiety experience persistent worry, restlessness, feeling of dread.
Healthcare professionals can ask their patients about each area, and then assess how each symptom is affecting their everyday life. Many people feel immense relief once the right question is asked; they often then finally feel ‘seen’, with a potential to be understood.
Another aspect to consider is that anxiety can change as we progress through life. A lot of my clients would tell me about their experiences with anxiety and how it has evolved over time – for example, it might have started as panic attacks and, when that receded, their anxiety changed into hypochondriac symptoms. Or they might have had OCD that now is managed, but they still suffer from debilitating social anxiety. It is always useful to ask about the history of anxiety.
If you recognise that anxiety is a concern, it is important to take steps to manage the situation. A few things that help are:
- Breathing Exercises
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Physical exercise
- Lifestyle changes around sleep, food and drink, and use of screen.
- Psychotherapy
- Medication
At Orchestrate Health, we offer home-based therapy for the treatment of anxiety; this can be with the practitioner visiting at home or doing online sessions again from the comfort of a patient’s own home. This has a range of benefits, especially when treating anxiety:
Accessibility: sometimes, patients are prevented from leaving their house because of social anxiety disorder, because the rituals of leaving the house would take too much time, or due to avoidance of clinical or medical commitments. Aside from anxiety, one might not be able to leave their home because of mobility issues, or due to other family or work commitments.
Comfort and familiarity: being at home can make people feel safer and more at ease. They can access family members if extra support is needed, and there are small comforts that can also help by being at home – such as hugging a favourite cushion or having a nap straight after a session.
Professional observation: additionally, being at home gives psychotherapists an opportunity to observe some of the physical manifestations of anxiety, such as excessive orderliness or cleaning rituals. Also, the psychotherapist can help work in situation on some of the behaviours and coping strategies. For example, if someone suffers from OCD and has long rituals to leave the house, the therapist can challenge the behaviours and experiment with different coping strategies, and the patient can immediately integrate the strategies into their daily life3-4.
If you or someone you know are experiencing anxiety and want to discuss options for support, reach out today.
