Is Having Anxiety Normal...Or A Problem?
Anxiety is actually a normal human emotion that involves feelings of worry or fear about a situation, an event, or uncertain outcome.
It is a common (and necessary) emotional experience that can be quite helpful in certain situations. For example, it can cause us to take action when we are threatened or when we have challenges we must overcome. In this sense, anxiety can be a fuel that energizes us to prepare for all the responsibilities and challenges that life throws at us (of which there are many).
However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can interfere with our daily activities and quality of life. At this point, it stops being helpful and instead often holds us back.
If it severe enough, it may even be classified as an anxiety disorder. Rather than fuelling us, it acts more like an anchor that weighs us down and causes us to retreat, avoid, or hide from our fears and stressors.
Moderate or severe anxiety can cause us to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, can impact our performance at work or school, and causes us to avoid of feared situations or activities.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping, which can further impact our daily lives. Additionally, anxiety can negatively affect social interactions, leading to isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships. Emotionally, prolonged and unhealthy levels of anxiety can cause feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness, sometimes leading to other mental health issues such as depression.
Quick Point:
Although having no anxiety or stress may sound wonderful, this is neither possible, nor desirable. The goal is to manage stressors in a healthy way, to keep our fears proportional to actual threats, and to convert anxiety into useful energy.
We custom match every client with a therapist who best suited for your needs and goals in counselling.
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy.
For assistance with reducing anxiety and managing stress, we welcome you to book an appointment with our Halifax psychologists, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
It is a common (and necessary) emotional experience that can be quite helpful in certain situations. For example, it can cause us to take action when we are threatened or when we have challenges we must overcome. In this sense, anxiety can be a fuel that energizes us to prepare for all the responsibilities and challenges that life throws at us (of which there are many).
However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the situation at hand, it can interfere with our daily activities and quality of life. At this point, it stops being helpful and instead often holds us back.
If it severe enough, it may even be classified as an anxiety disorder. Rather than fuelling us, it acts more like an anchor that weighs us down and causes us to retreat, avoid, or hide from our fears and stressors.
Moderate or severe anxiety can cause us to have difficulty concentrating or making decisions, can impact our performance at work or school, and causes us to avoid of feared situations or activities.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping, which can further impact our daily lives. Additionally, anxiety can negatively affect social interactions, leading to isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships. Emotionally, prolonged and unhealthy levels of anxiety can cause feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness, sometimes leading to other mental health issues such as depression.
Quick Point:
Although having no anxiety or stress may sound wonderful, this is neither possible, nor desirable. The goal is to manage stressors in a healthy way, to keep our fears proportional to actual threats, and to convert anxiety into useful energy.
We custom match every client with a therapist who best suited for your needs and goals in counselling.
We offer both in-person and virtual therapy.
For assistance with reducing anxiety and managing stress, we welcome you to book an appointment with our Halifax psychologists, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.
What Are Diagnosable Anxiety Disorders?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The core feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a persistent and excessive worry about a variety of topics, such as work, relationships, or everyday responsibilities. People with GAD often have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating.
To be diagnosed with GAD, these symptoms must last for at least six months, and must be severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.
The core feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a persistent and excessive worry about a variety of topics, such as work, relationships, or everyday responsibilities. People with GAD often have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating.
To be diagnosed with GAD, these symptoms must last for at least six months, and must be severe enough to cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about social or performance situations. People with SAD often worry about being judged, humiliated, or embarrassed in social situations. Not surprisingly, they may avoid or feel extremely anxious in social settings.
This fear can cause significant distress and interfere with everyday life, work, and relationships. Common physical symptoms of SAD include blushing, sweating, trembling or shaking, and difficulty speaking or forming sentences in social situations.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is characterized by intense fear or anxiety about social or performance situations. People with SAD often worry about being judged, humiliated, or embarrassed in social situations. Not surprisingly, they may avoid or feel extremely anxious in social settings.
This fear can cause significant distress and interfere with everyday life, work, and relationships. Common physical symptoms of SAD include blushing, sweating, trembling or shaking, and difficulty speaking or forming sentences in social situations.
Specific Phobias
Specific Phobias involve an intense and overwhelming fear of a specific object or situation, such as spiders, flying, or heights. If you have a phobia you likely experience an extreme level of fear or anxiety when you encounter the object or situation and your reaction is disproportionate to the actual level of danger posed by the object or situation.
People with Specific Phobias may go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation, and may experience intense physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and rapid breathing when exposed to the feared item or situation.
Luckily, phobias are usually quite treatable in therapy.
Specific Phobias involve an intense and overwhelming fear of a specific object or situation, such as spiders, flying, or heights. If you have a phobia you likely experience an extreme level of fear or anxiety when you encounter the object or situation and your reaction is disproportionate to the actual level of danger posed by the object or situation.
People with Specific Phobias may go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation, and may experience intense physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and rapid breathing when exposed to the feared item or situation.
Luckily, phobias are usually quite treatable in therapy.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that the one feels compelled to perform in order to reduce anxiety.
The behaviors are often rigid, time-consuming, and interfere with daily functioning. Despite the peerson's efforts to resist or ignore the obsessions, the thoughts persist and may cause significant distress and impairment in daily life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that the one feels compelled to perform in order to reduce anxiety.
The behaviors are often rigid, time-consuming, and interfere with daily functioning. Despite the peerson's efforts to resist or ignore the obsessions, the thoughts persist and may cause significant distress and impairment in daily life.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and feelings of shortness of breath. People with Panic Disorder often have a fear of having another attack and may avoid situations or places where they have previously experienced a panic attack. The panic attacks typically occur abruptly, without warning, and may not be related to a specific trigger.
What it is like to experience a panic attack? During a panic attack, you may experience a rapid or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, dizziness, nausea, and feelings of impending doom or fear of dying. Some people may also experience a feeling of detachment or a sense of unreality. These symptoms can be very frightening and may make it feel like the individual is losing control or going insane.
Panic attacks usually subside in just a few minutes but can last to up to half an hour.
Quick Point:
Panic attacks are not dangerous, but they certainly feel like they are. The perception of danger and the fear of having a panic attack is often what keeps them active. However, panic attacks (as well as other anxiety disorders) are actually very treatable in therapy.
Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and feelings of shortness of breath. People with Panic Disorder often have a fear of having another attack and may avoid situations or places where they have previously experienced a panic attack. The panic attacks typically occur abruptly, without warning, and may not be related to a specific trigger.
What it is like to experience a panic attack? During a panic attack, you may experience a rapid or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, dizziness, nausea, and feelings of impending doom or fear of dying. Some people may also experience a feeling of detachment or a sense of unreality. These symptoms can be very frightening and may make it feel like the individual is losing control or going insane.
Panic attacks usually subside in just a few minutes but can last to up to half an hour.
Quick Point:
Panic attacks are not dangerous, but they certainly feel like they are. The perception of danger and the fear of having a panic attack is often what keeps them active. However, panic attacks (as well as other anxiety disorders) are actually very treatable in therapy.
What Does Clinical Level Anxiety Feel Like?
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Anxiety can express itself in both physical and emotional symptoms. Excessive anxiety can cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and feeling absolutely exhausted (not just tired).
Emotionally, excessive anxiety is often experienced as a sense of constant worry or fear that can seem overwhelming, and individuals may struggle to control their anxious thoughts and feelings. Relentless, excessive anxiety can lead to a sense of impending doom, as well as difficulty concentrating, irritability, and changes in sleep or eating patterns. Living with anxiety is like being followed by a voice that knows all your fears and insecurities and uses them against you. It is often the loudest voice in the room and the only one you can hear. |
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How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are very common and affect a significant portion of the population.
Approximately 30% of people experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Research generally finds that women are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders than men.
Although anxiety-related problems respond very well to treatment, only about one third of people seek professional assistance for anxiety disorders.
Approximately 30% of people experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Research generally finds that women are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders than men.
Although anxiety-related problems respond very well to treatment, only about one third of people seek professional assistance for anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis |
Percentage (American Psychiatric Association) |
Phobias |
8% - 12% |
Social Anxiety Disorder |
7% |
Panic Disorder |
2% - 3% |
GAD |
2.9% |
Agoraphobia |
1% - 1.7% |
What Causes Anxiety-Related Problems?
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not fully understood and of course, varies from person to person, However, multiple factors likely contribute to their development. This includes genetics, brain chemistry, family environment, personality traits (e.g., perfectionism, a tendency to worry, and being overly self-critical), exposure to trauma or stress, certain medical conditions (such as thyroid disorders), difficult childhoods, and substance misuse / abuse.
For those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety, it can make them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder when there are other risk factors present.
For those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety, it can make them more likely to develop an anxiety disorder when there are other risk factors present.
How Often Do Anxiety Disorders Occur With Other Disorders?
It is common for anxiety disorders to coexist with other mental health conditions. For example, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety Disorders often occur together, with around half of individuals diagnosed with MDD will also meet criteria for an Anxiety Disorder.
People with Anxiety Disorders are also more likely to experience substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and personality disorders.
Left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to serious relationship difficulties, poor work or school performance, physical health issues, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation or attempts.
People with Anxiety Disorders are also more likely to experience substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and personality disorders.
Left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to serious relationship difficulties, poor work or school performance, physical health issues, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation or attempts.
How Do We Treat Anxiety At Green Leaf?
Anxiety disorders are sometimes treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication (although psychologists cannot prescribe medication). Our psychologists may offer Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. Often, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices are taught to help reduce symptoms of anxiety.
In addition to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we may use other forms of therapy including (but not limited to) Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT that involves the gradual exposure to feared situations in order to reduce anxiety. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding them or trying to control them. DBT incorporates mindfulness techniques to improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Although there may be some common elements and interventions, our treatments for anxiety are customized for each client to provide the greatest likelihood of symptom reduction or elimination.
In addition to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we may use other forms of therapy including (but not limited to) Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT that involves the gradual exposure to feared situations in order to reduce anxiety. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and emotions rather than avoiding them or trying to control them. DBT incorporates mindfulness techniques to improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
Although there may be some common elements and interventions, our treatments for anxiety are customized for each client to provide the greatest likelihood of symptom reduction or elimination.
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Let's Get Started.
We are conveniently located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and have many clients from the areas of Bedford, Clayton Park, and Dartmouth. We provide in-person and online therapy to all of Nova Scotia and also offer virtual services to clients in New Brunswick.
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Please complete our short request form below and we will be in touch asap with appointment options.
Confidential Contact - Counselling / Therapy
Green Leaf Psychological - Halifax, Nova Scotia
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After you submit the form, we will definitely get back to you. However, email is often filtered into junk mail folders by mistake.
To prevent this from happening, please add [email protected] to your list of safe contacts...or make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see a reply in your inbox within 24 hours.
Thanks!
Green Leaf Psychological Services, Inc.