The Curse of Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety is one of the most common kinds of anxiety disorders. At any one time about seven percent of the population are affected. Currently, this equates to an approximate 35,000 adults living in Cornwall.
CBT
Thoughts Are Not Reality
Our thoughts are not to be trusted. This may sound a little extreme, but learning this fact can be tremendously helpful. The normal human brain provides a relentless ongoing commentary about the world and what we are doing. Sometimes the stories in this commentary are factual. But more often than not, they consist of judgements, evaluations, predictions and protests. For example, I had one client whose brain would routinely call him a ‘stupid, useless moron’ every time he made a mistake. (He was in fact a university lecturer!).
Worry, Worry, Worry
Generalised Anxiety Disorder is the name we give to people who worry too much. Now, everyone worries, but an estimated eight percent of us, or 36,000 adults in Cornwall, worry so much that they lose sleep and feel physically ill with worry.
Shaking off a Bad Mood
It is a common experience to find ourselves in a bad mood after an argument? But, what can we can do about this, if anything?
Health Worries
Health anxiety, which used to be called hypochondriasis, is where people have an overwhelming fear or conviction that they have symptoms of a serious illness, such as cancer. Around five to ten thousand people in Cornwall will have this problem.
Protecting Our Children from Anxiety
Anxiety problems affect one in ten of us, and can play havoc with living a normal life. So, it isn’t a surprise to hear that many people with anxiety problems are worried that they may pass this problem onto their children. They know only too well the distress it causes, and the last thing they want is to see their children ‘copying’ their fears. Unfortunately, this fear is grounded in reality. Sadly, more than half of anxiety sufferers go on to have children who develop similar difficulties.
