The evidence that long-term anxiety causes a whole host of health problems is incontrovertible, as is the fact that it exacerbates existing problems, such as pain. The causal link between anxiety and heart disease, strokes, bowel diseases, inflammatory conditions and some cancers is well established. Reducing our anxiety would improve our long-term health as clearly as exercise and good diet. It would also allow us to perform better in whatever we are doing. The good news is that we can do something fairly quickly about stress and anxiety. This book examines characteristic thinking patterns in anxiety such as predictions, catastrophic thinking and assumptions, and looks at ways to accept and change the processes of anxiety. Topics include:
Triggers of anxiety and panic
Anxiety threshold - how much can we take?
Free-floating anxiety
Traumatic anxiety (PTSD)
Performance anxiety
Fears and phobias ie flying, claustrophobia
Physical causes including hormonal (post-partum and menopause)
What is a 'nervous breakdown'?
When to see the doctor
Treatments - talking therapies, medication
Getting better, staying well