Understanding Anxiety: From Everyday Stress to Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety is something most of us experience at different points in our lives. It can show up as a fleeting sense of worry before an important meeting, a tight feeling in your chest when life feels overwhelming, or persistent anxious thoughts that seem to follow you everywhere. While anxiety is a normal human response, it can become a problem when it starts to interfere with your wellbeing, relationships, or quality of life.

In this article, we’ll explore what anxiety is, the different types of anxiety, from mild stress to Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), common symptoms, how anxiety can affect your life, and how NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) therapy can help.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is your body and mind’s natural response to perceived threat or danger. It’s part of our built-in survival system, often referred to as the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. When used appropriately, anxiety can be helpful, it can keep you alert, focused, and prepared.

However, when this response is triggered too often, too intensely, or without a real threat, anxiety can begin to feel overwhelming and exhausting.

Types of Anxiety: From Mild Stress to GAD

Anxiety exists on a spectrum. Understanding where you sit on that spectrum can be an important first step toward feeling better.

1. Everyday Stress and Situational Anxiety

This is the most common and mild form of anxiety. It’s usually linked to specific situations, such as:

• Work deadlines

• Exams or presentations

• Financial pressures

• Life changes or uncertainty

This type of anxiety tends to pass once the situation resolves.

2. Social Anxiety

Social anxiety involves a fear of being judged, criticised, or embarrassed in social situations. It may include:

• Avoiding social events

• Worrying excessively about what others think

• Feeling self conscious or tense around people

3. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

Panic attacks are sudden, intense waves of fear that can feel frightening and out of control. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sense of impending doom. Panic disorder involves recurring panic attacks and fear of having more.

4. Phobias

Phobias are intense fears of specific objects or situations, such as flying, heights, or public speaking. The fear is often disproportionate to the actual risk but feels very real to the person experiencing it.

5. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterised by persistent, excessive worry about a wide range of everyday things. People with GAD often feel anxious most days and may struggle to relax, even when things are going well.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety can affect both the mind and the body. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include:

Emotional and Mental Symptoms:

• Constant worrying or overthinking

• Racing thoughts

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability

• Feeling on edge or restless

Physical Symptoms:

• Tight chest or shallow breathing

• Rapid heartbeat

• Muscle tension

• Headaches or stomach issues

• Fatigue or difficulty sleeping

Because these symptoms can feel so physical, many people worry that something is seriously wrong with them, which can increase anxiety further.

How Anxiety Can Affect Your Life

When anxiety becomes chronic, it can start to impact many areas of life, including:

• Work and performance: Difficulty focusing, procrastination, or fear of failure

• Relationships: Withdrawal, irritability, or difficulty expressing needs

• Health: Ongoing tension, poor sleep, and lowered immune response

• Confidence and self-esteem: Feeling stuck, limited, or not good enough

Over time, anxiety can shrink your comfort zone, leading you to avoid situations that once felt manageable or enjoyable.

How I Work With Clients

I’m Geraldine, an integrative therapist and I offer NLP therapy in a way that is flexible, supportive, and tailored to your individual needs. I work with clients online, which allows you to access sessions from anywhere and fit therapy around your life. I also offer in person sessions in Crossmaglen for those who prefer face to face support in a calm, confidential setting.

Whether we work together online or in person, my approach is the same: creating a safe, non judgemental space where you can explore what’s going on for you and move forward at your own pace.

How NLP Therapy Can Help with Anxiety

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on how thoughts, language, and behaviour patterns influence our emotional experiences.

Rather than focusing solely on why anxiety exists, NLP works with how anxiety is created and maintained in the mind, and how those patterns can be changed.

NLP therapy may help you to:

• Understand and interrupt unhelpful thought patterns

• Reduce the emotional intensity of anxious memories or triggers

• Build a greater sense of calm, control, and emotional resilience

• Develop new responses to situations that previously caused anxiety

• Strengthen confidence and trust in yourself.

Many people find NLP empowering because it focuses on practical tools and strategies they can use in everyday life.

You Don’t Have to Live with Constant Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. It often means your mind is trying to protect you, just in an unhelpful way. With the right support, it is possible to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control of your thoughts and emotions.

If anxiety is affecting your life and you’re curious about whether NLP therapy could help, you’re very welcome to book a free, no obligation consultation call. This is simply a relaxed conversation to explore what you’re experiencing and see if working together feels like a good fit for you.

You’re under no pressure, just an opportunity to take a gentle first step toward feeling better when you’re ready.

Kind regards, Geraldine