Types of Anxiety Disorders

1. Obsessive compulsive disorder / O.C.D - Constantly washing hands, Checking, Super high attention to details

2. Anxiety attacks / panic attacks - chest pains, difficulty breathing, wet palms and trembling of the body

3. Specific phobias - Fear of heights, fear of spiders, fear of germs

4. PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder - Death of a loved one, Diagnosed with cancer

5. Social anxiety - Fear of public speaking, Inability to express ideas to a group

6. Separation anxiety disorder - Fear of losing someone or bring alone

Someone could suffer from more than one type of anxiety disorder and this could be the result of trauma, a significant life event or even a medical condition.

The good news is that no matter what type of anxiety you suffer from, snxiety counselling and therapy can help. With any condition, address it immediately.

11 Common triggers for Anxiety

1. Stress from heavy workloads, tight deadlines, uncertainties at work

2. Health worries

3. Difficult colleage or boss who makes us feel scared to go to work

4. Toxic work environment

5. Burden of ageing parents or in-laws that are just plain toxic

6. Worry about our children’s health and how they are performing in school

7. Job insecurity as we are not doing well in our job and worry about the future

8. Worry about how others thinks of us

9. Trauma from being bullied, abused or molested

How to Cope with Anxiety

1. Avoidance You find yourself avoiding situations that in the past triggers uncomfortable feeling and panic attack.

2. Distraction Social media, gaming, Netflix and YouTube. Binging on videos and occupying the mind somehow makes you feel more at ease.

3. Alcohol and Drugs Drinking numbs the feelings and helps us forget

4. Food Over-eating gives you a sense of comfort

Coping with anxiety is tiring and frustrating. Sometime you might feel so depressed that you just want it all to end. The good news is that the right Counsellor can help.

Link between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety is strongly linked to depression because after many failed attempts at trying to cope and avoid anxiety, you spiral into dysthymia or depression.

The long term effects of anxiety is poor health, poor sleep, stress and depression. Many long term sufferers are on anxiety medication. Thinking about this may give you a lump in your throat because you worry about the side effects. But sometimes, medication is the only way to lower anxiety to manageable levels that they are reasonable enough to take the next step and go for counselling and therapy.

It is important to know that you don't need to feel helpless or hopeless in your anxiety, stress or insomnia. There are many people out there just like you.

With the right therapy, the scale of the anxiety can be reduced and in many cases, the anxiety symptoms can be overcome.

Is Anxiety and Depression Genetic?

Could anxiety and depression be genetic? Did I inherit this from my parents or does it happen for no reason? The answer is No. From our experience, clients whose parents have anxiety and depression succeeded in overcoming anxiety and lift their mood to healthy levels.

You don't need to feel lonely, because you are not alone. Anxiety and depression is a mental illness that can be treated with the Right therapy.

Getting Medicated

Unfortunately, no medication cures anxiety or depression. Most drugs aim to just reduce the nervous feeings and help us sleep better. The problem is that sometimes, the medication itself gives us a headache and makes us more anxious.

If you have been to a polyclinic or the IMH (Institute of Mental Health) and have seen the psychiatrist and you are on medication, it's best that you follow their instructions. Even though you are seeking alternative treatment.

Anxiety relapse rates are very high for medication, so many take the next step towards resolving the root cause of the anxiety through counseling.