Exploring the Benefits of Integrative Therapy for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. It can be a debilitating condition that negatively effects your quality of life.

At its core, anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger, part of our body's innate fight-or-flight response that has protected humans for centuries. It involves the activity of the sympathetic nervous system that releases the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This physiological reaction is what causes feelings of dizziness, butterflies, sweating and shaking when feeling anxious or panicky. However, when these feelings become chronic or overwhelming, impacting daily life, it might indicate an anxiety disorder. It's a condition that touches millions globally, with women twice as likely as men to experience it.

Imagine juggling multiple roles every day while navigating societal expectations and dealing with hormonal changes. This is the reality for many women, and it can significantly contribute to a higher incidence of anxiety. This scenario illustrates the complex dance between our bodies and the world around us, emphasising the importance of personalised strategies for managing anxiety and providing support.

Recognising the Symptoms

Anxiety can present itself in a variety of ways, and its manifestations can differ greatly from one individual to another. For the mums reading this, you might recognise these common signs:

Persistent Worrying: Overwhelming concerns about numerous aspects of your life, whether it's the wellbeing of your children, your own health, maintaining relationships, or managing everyday responsibilities alongside wealth.
Physical Symptoms: Experiencing physical discomfort like heart palpitations, muscle tension, or digestion issues while managing a high-pressure lifestyle.
Sleep Disturbances: Struggling to fall or stay asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep due to an overactive mind.
Irritability and Mood Swings: Experiencing mood fluctuations that seem out of proportion to the situation, perhaps due to the stress of maintaining a certain lifestyle.
Avoidance Behaviours: Finding yourself avoiding places, events, or people that may trigger anxiety, even if they are part of your social circle or daily routine.

Understanding these symptoms is the first step toward seeking help and moving toward a healthier you. Remember, it's perfectly okay and important to seek support when needed.

Pathways to Healing

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy has been extensively researched and proven effective for anxiety. It involves working with a therapist to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, ultimately developing healthier coping mechanisms. It's a collaborative process that empowers women to regain control over their thoughts and emotions.

Somatic Trauma Therapy

Somatic trauma therapy integrates the physical aspect of psychological healing, recognising the body's role in storing and releasing emotional pain. Techniques such as grounding, mindfulness, and movement help release the energy trapped by past trauma, easing anxiety symptoms. It's particularly beneficial for individuals whose anxiety may be rooted in traumatic experiences.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention to reach a heightened state of awareness, often referred to as a trance. Through this process, individuals can explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories they might avoid in a conscious state. Hypnotherapy can help address the underlying causes of anxiety, promoting relaxation and rapid behavioural change.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is a form of technique’s that highlights the importance of self-awareness in how we feel and behave, with the integrating of hypnosis.