Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions globally. While some worry or fear is a natural and protective part of life, anxiety becomes a concern when it persists, intensifies, and begins to interfere with your ability to live meaningfully.
Anxiety can manifest in various forms and degrees, impacting individuals differently. For some, it might mean a persistent feeling of dread, while for others, it could lead to debilitating panic attacks. Understanding the nuances of anxiety is essential in addressing it effectively.
Therapy for Anxiety
Our dedicated team at CiEFT is committed to providing tailored interventions that cater to your specific needs. Each person’s experience with anxiety is unique, and our approach reflects that understanding. We take the time to listen, learn, and formulate a plan that resonates with you.
Therapy for AnxietyAt the Cyprus Institute for Emotion Focused Therapy (CiEFT), we understand that anxiety is more than just stress. It’s an overwhelming experience that can affect your thoughts, body, relationships, and day-to-day functioning. Whether you’re facing specific fears, constant overthinking, or panic attacks, we offer a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help you reclaim calm and confidence.
It’s also crucial to note how anxiety can coexist with other mental health issues, such as depression. This duality can complicate treatment, making it imperative to approach therapy holistically.
Moreover, the impact of anxiety is not just psychological; it can lead to physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue or gastrointestinal issues. These effects can significantly diminish quality of life, making it essential to seek help early.
In addition, societal stigma surrounding mental health often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need. Recognizing that anxiety disorders are legitimate health concerns can empower individuals to pursue treatment without fear or shame.
Understanding the different types of anxiety disorders can also aid individuals in identifying their symptoms more clearly. For instance, individuals with GAD may find themselves worrying about a range of issues, from health to finances, often feeling overwhelmed by the weight of their concerns.
Understanding Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety results from the body’s natural reaction to danger, threat, or stress. This “fight-or-flight” response is useful when facing real physical threats or challenges like exams, work presentations, or life changes. However, when anxiety persists even after the situation has passed, or arises without a clear cause, it may indicate an Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety Disorders are more than temporary worry. They involve persistent, excessive fear or nervousness that may affect multiple areas of life and may not be tied to a specific event or trigger.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can occur in many different ways. The main types of anxiety disorders and difficulties include:
- The General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is not always about one specific object or situation but can include anxiety over a variety of daily situations or aspects of life.
- Panic Disorder: Recurrent panic attacks, which are intense episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms.
- Social Anxiety involves intense fear and avoidance of social situations. People with social anxiety disorder struggle with self-conciousness and embarassment. They are concerned with being judged or negatively viewed by others in social situations. Social anxiety may be triggered during a specific social encounter or in anticipation of it or by social situations generally.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Recurring, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce distress. These compulsions, such as excessive cleaning or checking, can interfere with daily functioning and often provide only temporary relief.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Anxiety triggered by a traumatic event. PTSD is a mental health condition that may occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is characterized by symptoms like intrusive memories, flashbacks, emotional numbness, and heightened anxiety, often disrupting daily life.Addressing PTSD involves understanding the triggers that can lead to anxiety, which may include specific locations, sounds, or even smells that remind individuals of their trauma.
- Anxiety can display in specific phobias, like Agoraphobia. This is a phobia in which people fear and often times avoid places or situations that might cause them to panic or make them feel embarassed. Phobias are also very widespread and can be associated with many different kinds or objects, situations, or activities (e.g., heights, spiders).
- Some other disorders than can be counted under Anxiety Disorders are the Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post- Traumatic- Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Panic Attacks.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of anxiety is the first step toward seeking help. For example, symptoms can manifest as a constant feeling of restlessness or an inability to relax, which can be debilitating.
Psychological:
- Excessive worry or fear
- Irritability or feeling out of control
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Detachment from reality or self
Physical:
Physical symptoms of anxiety can range from headaches to muscle pain, and it’s not uncommon for individuals to seek medical attention for these symptoms without realizing they are linked to anxiety.
- Racing heart, shortness of breath
- Muscle tension, dizziness, or stomach upset
- Headaches, chest pain, or fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping or restlessness
Behavioral:
- Avoiding situations or people
- Difficulty relaxing or feeling safe
- Reassurance-seeking or over-preparing
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety can develop from a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors:
- Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse
- Chronic stress (work, finances, caregiving)
- Major life transitions (e.g., relocation, parenthood)
- Traumatic experiences
- Genetic predisposition or family history
- Health conditions or substance use
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Anxiety
At CiEFT, our Emotion-Focused Therapy helps you explore and transform the core emotions underlying anxiety. Often, anxiety arises from unprocessed emotional pain, unmet needs, or fear of rejection or failure.
Through EFT, we support you to:
- Access the root emotions beneath your anxiety
- Develop emotional regulation skills
- Process past experiences and relational wounds
- Build self-compassion and confidence
We tailor therapy to your unique needs and pace, empowering you to take back control of your life.
Can I do my sessions online?
Yes. Whether you live in Cyprus or abroad, our therapists provide online psychotherapy and in-person sessions in Nicosia. Sessions are available in Greek and English, and we work with adolescents and adults.
Dealing with Anxiety at Home
- Breathing techniques – Ground yourself using simple breath practices
- Exercise – Physical activity is proven to reduce anxiety symptoms
- Mindful routines – Try yoga, tai chi, or grounding activities. Incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine can significantly alleviate anxiety. Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization can help ground you in the present moment.
- Structured routines – Implementing structured daily routines can provide a sense of control, which is often lost during periods of heightened anxiety. Simple actions like planning meals or setting aside specific times for relaxation can make a difference.
- Build a support network – Building a support system is crucial in overcoming anxiety. Friends, family, or support groups can offer encouragement and understanding, helping to lessen feelings of isolation
- Limit caffeine and sugar – Stimulants can worsen physical symptoms
- Structure your day – Small routines reduce uncertainty
- Use self-help books – Empower yourself with structured guidance. Engaging with supportive literature can also be a valuable resource. These books often provide strategies grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can help reshape thought patterns associated with anxiety.Additionally, online resources and forums can offer community support and shared experiences, providing comfort in the knowledge that others are facing similar challenges.
Recommended Books
📘 Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley – A CBT-based guide with practical strategies
📘 Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler – Focused on social fear
📘 Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers – Classic and motivational
📘 Women Who Think Too Much by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema – Great for rumination and overthinking
📘 The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy – Tools for managing chronic worry
Helpful Links
Begin Your Journey Toward Calm
Begin your journey towards emotional well-being with us. We recognize that every individual’s path is different, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Whether you’re facing anxiety, panic, or emotional overwhelm, our therapists are here to guide you through. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about how Emotion-Focused Therapy can be the key to unlocking a more fulfilling life.
We believe that every person’s emotional world is unique — and therapy should be too.
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