Adults
Anxiety disorders
Being constantly on edge, worry you can't control and tension in the body: working with anxiety that narrows everyday life.
- Generalised anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Performance and exam anxiety
Anxiety is a natural and necessary emotion that warns us of danger. But when it persists even when there is no danger, grows stronger and narrows your life, it becomes worth working on.
How can you recognise it?
- Worries about many things on most days that are hard to control
- Restlessness, tension, tiring easily
- Difficulty concentrating, your mind going blank
- Muscle tension, stomach and digestive complaints
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- A constant urge to be prepared for possible worst-case scenarios
Why does it happen?
Genetic predisposition, learned ways of coping, difficult life events and beliefs formed in childhood all play a part in anxiety. Beliefs such as “If I don't control everything, something bad will happen” or “I mustn't make mistakes” can feed the cycle that keeps anxiety going.
What happens in therapy?
First we map together the situations in which your anxiety rises and how it shows up in your body and your thoughts. With cognitive behavioural therapy we address the worry cycle and avoidance behaviours, and with mindfulness practices we help the mind come back from “what if” to the present. If difficult experiences or deep-rooted beliefs lie at the root of the anxiety, EMDR and schema therapy can be included in the process.
When should you seek support?
If several of these signs have lasted for weeks and are affecting your work, relationships or sleep, seeing a mental health professional can be a good step.
Frequently asked questions
Does anxiety ever go away completely?
The aim isn't to get rid of anxiety altogether, but to bring it to a manageable level and stop it from running your life. When it fits the situation and stays in proportion, anxiety is a useful emotion.
This page was written by Zeynep Hilal Çelik and last reviewed on 27 October 2026.
