Anxiety affects the way we think, feel and behave. It can also have a very physical impact on our body. Cognitive (Thinking) Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of counselling that helps us monitor these aspects of ourselves.

Anxiety as normal

It is important to understand that anxiety is a normal response to any threat to our person. Being slightly nervous can help us to perform better or can help us to deal with danger. The body reacts to a threat by producing adrenaline, a hormone which prepares us for ‘fight or flight’. You feel your heart beating faster and your breathing becoming faster. These symptoms are the body’s way of preparing us to run or fight.

Anxiety as a problem

Although it is normal to feel anxious when threatened or under pressure, some people feel anxious quite a lot of the time when they are not really under threat. Anxiety can become a problem when it is severe and prolonged and when it interferes with what we want to do in our daily lives.

In anxiety, a vicious cycle is maintained between thinking and feeling (including bodily responses) and behaviour. You may not even be aware of the thoughts themselves as you are so used to them. These thoughts are called ‘negative, automatic thoughts’.

Anxiety and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The aim of CBT is to identify these ‘negative automatic thoughts’ so you can challenge them. We need to become good at hi jacking these thoughts before they take hold of you and send you spiraling into anxiety. Although the feelings anxiety produces are unpleasant, they are not dangerous.

It is common for people who suffer from anxiety to avoid situations that make them feel anxious. This can become very problematic as the more you avoid something, the more difficult it will seem to overcome, which in turn will make you more anxious. It is necessary therefore, to keep trying to do things even if they make you feel anxious so that you can prove to yourself that nothing disastrous will happen. CBT helps facilitate this work.

Taking control of anxiety starts with recognizing what’s going on in your mind and body and taking positive steps to manage this. In this way anxiety can be seen as a normal response to life changing events but one that does not take over your life.

This article is a guest blog by Fergal Brady, a psycho-analytical psychotherapist, based in Dundalk, and available at www.counsellingconnections.ie