How CBT can help with Anxiety

Problems with anxiety can take the form of chronic worrying, resulting in irritability and exhaustion (due to the disturbed sleep). It can also take the form of panic attacks.

These are brief episodes of extreme anxiety whereby the accompanying physical symptoms (for example: pain in the chest as a result of over-breathing, hyperventilation) often cause the anxiety to climb even higher. Panic problems are often, but not always accompanied by a fear of unknown places (agoraphobia).

Other forms of anxiety problems are: social anxiety (being extremely fearful of interacting with other people) and specific phobias (a specific item or situation causes extreme anxiety, for instance fear of lifts).

A Case Study: Alex

Alex has suffered from sleeplessness and general nervousness. Her GP has discussed this with her and come to the conclusion that she suffers from generalised anxiety disorder characterised by worrying.

Alex's Early Life Experiences

Alex grew up in a family where everything was always organised. It had to be, there were 5 children and the grandparents lived in the same house. Especially her father would worry endlessly about things turning out for the best.

Whether it was trying to catch the bus into town ("will it go today, will we be on time?") to the economic situation of the country ("how will we survive, what has the world come to?"). If things went wrong he always blamed lack of preparedness.

Alex's Beliefs

“I have to be in control. If I don’t worry things will go wrong. No one can be relied on”.

Unhealthy Negative Feelings

Anxiety.

Self-Defeating Behaviours

Lots and lots of preparation, taking extra care that tasks are done thoroughly.

What triggers the problems now?

Normal daily challenges: what to wear today, how to pay for things, how to discuss something with colleagues.

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