Anxiety
(Including Acute Anxiety and Panic)
Understanding
Anxiety is a natural protective response designed to signal potential threat and support survival. It becomes distressing when this system remains activated beyond its intended purpose, shaping perception, behaviour, and daily functioning in ways that feel restrictive or overwhelming.
For some individuals, anxiety emerges in response to current pressures such as work demands, relationship strain, or health concerns. For others, it may reflect longer-standing patterns shaped by earlier experiences, heightened sensitivity to uncertainty, or persistent self-evaluation.
Acute anxiety and panic episodes represent intensified activation of the nervous system. Although these experiences can feel frightening and physically alarming, they reflect an exaggerated stress response rather than immediate danger.
How Therapy Works
Therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand your specific concerns, history, and contributing factors. Intervention is always tailored to your individual needs. Depending on your presentation, therapy may incorporate cognitive and behavioural strategies, emotion-focused work, mindfulness-based techniques, trauma-informed approaches, or other evidence-based frameworks.
The focus is on helping you regulate emotional and physical responses, reduce unhelpful patterns, and build long-term psychological resilience. Therapy is collaborative and adjusted over time as your needs evolve.
How It May Present
Experiences of anxiety differ widely between individuals.
Some people experience predominantly cognitive symptoms, while others notice strong physical sensations or behavioural changes.
Possible experiences include:
• Persistent or excessive worry
• Repetitive mental rehearsal or overanalyses
• Panic episodes with racing heart, breathlessness, or dizziness
• Restlessness or difficulty relaxing
• Muscle tension or gastrointestinal discomfort
• Avoidance of situations perceived as threatening
• Increased reassurance-seeking
• Disturbed sleep
• Fear of losing control
Not everyone will identify with all of these experiences. Anxiety can vary in intensity, frequency, and expression depending on personality, life context, and stress history. Your experience may not look identical to someone else’s.
Important Note
The information provided above is intended as general guidance only and does not represent formal diagnostic criteria. A thorough psychological assessment is required to determine whether a diagnosable condition is present. Each person’s experience is unique, and symptoms can vary significantly. If you are unsure whether your experience fits within this area, this can be explored during an initial consultation.