Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety can either be mild or it can be severe. It occurs when your feel a sense of unease, such as fear or worry. Everyone experiences anxiety at some points in life, such as when you are anxious or worried about an upcoming exam, job interview, or medical test, and feeling anxious under these circumstances is perfectly normal.

Your IPSA anxiety consultation

Unfortunately, if you find that it is difficult to control your anxiety, and if those feelings are fairly constant and affecting your daily life, then you should consider an anxiety consultation at your IPSA clinic. IPSA’s anxiety specialist will see you in our calm and conducive setting, and will talk through your fears and worries and emotions with you to determine the nature of your anxiety, as these feelings of anxiety are the key symptom for several different conditions such as phobias, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). IPSA’s service is totally confidential and client-centred, and your experienced IPSA physician will ensure that your consultation is neither rushed nor uncomfortable for you.

Generalised anxiety disorder

GAD or generalised anxiety disorder is a long-term issue, causing you to experience anxiety in both a wide range of situations and over a range of different issues, rather than your anxiety arising from one particular event.

People who suffer from GAD tend to feel anxious nearly every day and have difficulty remembering the last time that they actually felt truly relaxed. GAD can produce both physical and psychological (mental) symptoms which vary from person to person. However, the symptoms can include feeling worried or restless and having trouble sleeping and concentrating.

When should you see your IPSA anxiety specialist?

Although having feelings of anxiety can be completely normal, you should book your IPSA anxiety consultation if your anxiety is causing you distress and affecting your daily life.

What causes GAD?

Some sufferers do develop GAD without any apparent reason. Although we still do not fully understand the exact cause of this type of anxiety disorder, it seems likely that several factors might work in combination to play a role, and that these may include:

• Over-activity in brain regions concerned with behaviour and emotions
• Having a history of traumatic/stressful experiences (such as bullying, child abuse or domestic violence)
• An imbalance in brain chemicals (noradrenaline and serotonin) that are involved in both the regulation and control of mood
• Having a long-term and painful health condition (for example, arthritis)
• Your genes (your genetic inheritance from your parents): if a close relative suffers from GAD, then you are 5 times more likely to develop the condition yourself
• Having a drug/alcohol misuse history

Who is affected by GAD?

GAD is a very common condition in the UK, affecting approximately 1 in 25 people. GAD is more common in those between 35 and 55 and on average more women suffer from GAD than men do.

How is GAD is treated?

GAD can significantly impact your daily life; however, several treatments are available to help to ease your GAD symptoms, including:

• Psychological therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Medication like a kind of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• Relaxant medications (for example, benzodiazepines)
• Anti-anxiety medications (for example, beta-blockers)

Medications and anxiety management at your IPSA anxiety clinic

During your anxiety consultation at your IPSA clinic, your IPSA specialist will go through how anxiety is impacting on your lifestyle and with a frank and open discussion, the best form of anxiety treatment for you to manage your anxiety will be decided on. Your IPSA physician will then advise you on how to take your anxiety medication, as, in certain cases, it may have to be taken on a regular basis and, in other cases, your anxiety medication will only be taken during any periods of heightened anxiety.

Your IPSA specialist will monitor your progress on a regular basis until your symptoms have settled down and improved. Following this, a long-term plan will be devised for you to help to control and monitor your anxiety so that it does not take over your life.

To book your same-day IPSA anxiety consultation, phone your nearest IPSA clinic or make your booking online.