The 8 sneaky symptoms of anxiety

Every year during May it is Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Mental Health Foundation. Each year, hundreds of events are scheduled across the country to raise awareness of mental health and raise money for the foundation.

Hypnotherapist Jessica Vassallo based at Ten Harley Street, London and Online, described the “eight sneaky symptoms of anxiety”, which she said can affect many of us. 

She said: “If you struggle with anxiety you will probably be familiar with the usual ways that it appears in your life. For example, you may find yourself often feeling fearful, worrying constantly or being nervous for much of the time. Maybe you have physical symptoms, shortness of breath or a pounding chest."

• feeling fearful
• worrying constantly
• being nervous for much of the time
• physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath or a pounding chest.

“But, there are some lesser-known ways that anxiety can show up in your life too and it can be helpful to look out for these sneaky symptoms too. You may be suffering from anxiety if: you feel the need to be perfect and control every situation; you are stressed, overwhelmed, frantic and always busy; you have a tendency to procrastinate and put off things that need to be done; you have lots of unfinished projects left hanging; you experience social withdrawal - avoiding situations and events that you would find enjoyable; you are snappy and irritable; you have become hypervigilant, constantly fearing the worst and overthinking every situation; or you are not sleeping well.”

It may be helpful to ask yourself these questions:

• Do you feel the need to be perfect and control every situation?
• Are you are stressed, overwhelmed, frantic and always busy?
• Do you have a tendency to procrastinate and put off things that need to be done
• Do you have lots of unfinished projects left hanging?
• Do you experience social withdrawal - avoiding situations and events that you would find enjoyable?
• Are you snappy and irritable?
• Have you become hypervigilant, constantly fearing the worst and overthinking every situation?
• Do you experience disturbed sleep?

Jessica explained that hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety symptoms. She said: “Hypnotherapy increases your ability to take control of anxiety and can change the way you think and act. It is an effective way to refocus your thought process, helping you to feel safer and more secure. A study by D.C. Hammond in 2010 carried out an expert review of neurotherapeutics, including hypnotherapy. It found that 'Self-hypnosis training represents a rapid, cost-effective, non-addictive and safe alternative to medication for the treatment of anxiety-related conditions.'”

For more information about using hypnotherapy to treat anxiety or to book a free discovery consultation please contact me. Alternatively, find a qualified hypnotherapist on Hypnotherapy Directory.