Life is full of ups and downs... good times and bad... there's no doubt about that.
We're all affected by so many things... by those around us, the situations we find ourselves in, our own 'inner worries', and everyday pressures of life. They're unavoidable.
With all these influencing factors all around us (and within us!), it's perfectly natural that we get anxious from time to time, and so there's nothing wrong with a certain level of anxiety now and again.
We're human after all!
But anxiety can, and often does have a really negative effect on our lives if that anxiety becomes too intense, or if that anxiety happens too often. It can often be difficult to get on with your life if there is a constant anxiety, or if sudden, sharp bouts of anxiety (in the form of anxiety attacks or panic attacks) for example, start to happen.
It's when you find that the anxiety is getting a 'bit too much', or that it's getting difficult to cope, that a little bit of outside help can make all the difference.
This website isn't about feeling down, it's all about help... it's about feeling positive, getting involved and feeling part of a group, knowing that you're somewhere where you belong, somewhere to talk, and to find help, because it's all about...
Living Life To The Full
Free to live your life to the full, free from anxiety and stress... Free to live the way that you want to live.
Anxiety Matters is about feeling better... feeling good about life...
Feeling good about life means knowing that you're not alone, feeling better in yourself, being part of a wider community... finding help for yourself, and feeling a sense of achievement at maybe helping others in the process.
Helping you to find time to relax... to unwind... to find some 'you' time.
Feeling good means knowing that...
You Can Be In Control Of Your Life.
Anxiety can often feel like being 'out of control'.
Taking the time to regain your control over your life will help you feel better in yourself, more stable in your relationships and more secure in your job.
And one of the biggest steps in getting rid of the 'anxiety' cloud that's been hanging over your head for so long, is knowing that...
You Are NOT Alone With Your Anxiety
We all want help from time to time. We all have times in our lives when we need help in areas of life... in those anxious times where we simply can't cope alone.
It's quite common, when we suffer from any particular form of anxiety, to believe that we are the only ones feeling that way.
Sometimes though, it's only by hearing about the experiences of other people, that we come to realize that there are others out there who feel exactly the same as we do, only then can we feel a sense of community with our fellow anxiety sufferers, a sense of belonging.
Whether you decide to share your story with us, become part of the community here, or just decide to read further, one of the most important things for you to do at the moment, is to...
Realize What Being Free From Your Anxiety Would Mean To You
Think about how different your life would be without the anxiety that's been holding you back.
Take a pen and paper, and write down the 5 biggest ways that your life would change if you could be free from anxiety and stress...
Do it now, and then for each of those, ask yourself... "what real difference would that make to my life?"
You might have written something like... "I'd have more confidence in myself"
So now, ask yourself... "what real difference would that make to my life?"
"I would be able to stand up for myself at work, the boss would see how valuable I am to his company"
Then what?
"I would be able to ask for that pay rise that he's told me I deserve but seem to have never got"
...yes, and...
"I would have more money, so I would be able to give up my evening job"
...and...
"I could spend more time at home... with my friends, with my family... I would have more time to enjoy my new found confidence in myself!"
...and how they would that make you really feel?
"happy!"
Exactly.... happy, and able to...
Do More With Your Life
Being free from anxiety, free from stress, free from depression is much more than just getting rid of a 'label', or even a feeling.
It's about enjoying life... enjoying feeling free to do all those things in life that anxiety has held you back from, free to make decisions in your job or career, in your relationships, free to spend more time with your family and friends, free to relax.
Freedom from the effects of excessive anxiety is something that can be achieved. Sometimes the process might be challenging, and in the process you'll undoubtedly learn a lot more about yourself than you thought you might.
Think of it this way... suppose you're looking to drive to a certain place, and you're not sure how to get there... what would you do? - as someone? use SatNav? use a good old-fashioned map?
Of course you would. but whichever you choose, you need to know where you are to start with!
To a certain extent at least, anxiety is the same... you can get to where you want to be, but it helps to know where your starting point is.
Making that first step on your journey to feeling better in yourself will just be so much easier if you head in the right direction, so it helps to understand...
How Anxiety Can Affect YOU
Anxiety can affect you in all kinds of ways, some expected, some unexpected.
Anxiety attacks (also known as panic attacks), for example can be extreme, totally unexpected, and very unpleasant. If you are looking for information on anxiety attacks, such as the symptoms of an anxiety attack, and how to know if you're having an anxiety attack.
Phobias are another very common symptom of anxiety. While all phobias can be potentially annoying or even frightening for the sufferer, some very common phobias, such as social anxiety (or social phobia) and commitment phobia for example, can affect the very way we live our lives day to day.
Maybe your anxiety affects you in a completely different way. Some common examples of how anxiety can affect us are...
...but however anxiety currently affects your life, Anxiety Matters is here to help you... so grab yourself a coffee (or whatever you like!) and enjoy your visit.
While you're here, we'll help you to see that however much your anxiety is currently affecting you, you really can...
Be Happy and Enjoy Life
When the anxiety goes, so too can the stress and depression, your sense of self-worth can grow, and with it, comes self-esteem.
How do we know this? Simple... Anxiety Matters is...
By Real People, For YOU
Anxiety Matters is open for anyone to contribute to... giving a feeling of community, the knowledge that all of us who suffer from anxiety, or help with anxiety can come together to help each other.
The idea of Anxiety Matters was the brainchild of Paul Douglass.
Paul is a practicing analytical hypnotherapist (hypnoanalyst) who specializes in helping people with anxiety related issues.
Over the years Paul has spent many thousands of hours on a one-to-one basis with people who have suffered from an amazingly wide range of symptoms.
At the time, Paul was practicing in Harley Street in London, and one day, traveling home, he was thinking about the clients he had seen that day, and one thing kept going through his mind.
Paul thought about the fact that ALL of the clients that he had seen that day, whatever symptoms they had come to him for help with, had all thought, (before they had come to see him!!!).
Each one of those people had genuinely believed that they were in some way 'strange'... they not only felt that they 'must be the only one to feel like that'.... but 'there was no way out'.
Paul took some time out from the sessions to explain to each client that they are perfectly 'normal' to experience anxiety, and that there really are lots of ways to feel better.
Just knowing that 'anxiety is normal', and that it can be overcome, helped these clients to feel better in themselves. Suddenly there was hope for them.
Searching the web that night, it soon became clear that there were no websites out there that offered any real hope, constructive help and encouragement for those suffering from anxiety; Help and information on anxiety from those who truly understand, not only how anxiety feels, but also how anxiety can be overcome.
The idea of Anxiety Matters was born.
Today, Anxiety Matters offers real help and information for YOU. No matter what kind of anxiety is there at the moment, you'll find lots of information here that really can help you to feel better.
Paul now shares his time between running Anxiety Matters and his practices in the UK where he helps people on a one-to-one basis. Paul also contributes regularly to the articles on Anxiety Matters.
Paul runs Avon Hypnotherapy with his wife Denise.
Get Involved!
As we've already mentioned, Anxiety Matters is open for YOU to 'get involved' in.
Whether you want to contribute to the site or not, you are more than welcome to stick around and spend some time looking at all of the different ways that we can help you.
You are part of Anxiety Matters family.... a place where anyone you can read, enjoy, laugh, and participate... where you are welcome at any time.
You can widen your circle of friends here, knowing that you are amongst those who will listen to you, and that you can share your experiences with.
This is somewhere that you can interact with those who understand how you feel, and in helping yourself, you too can feel the satisfaction of helping others in the process!
So if you've got something you want to get off of your chest, tell us your story, or get involved in the community here.
There are just so many ways that you can 'get involved!'. Make sure you subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter, so that you can be kept up to date with all the latest developments, news, articles, information and gossip!
Remember, this is all for you... so let us know what you think.
If you have a question, be sure to check out the FAQ's pages. You can also participate in, and see the results of, our anxiety related surveys, and read the latest in anxiety related news.
If there are any other subjects that you think that we could cover, do let us know, that's what the wishlist is for!
Help With Anxiety
Maybe you're considering therapy as an option for you... millions of people do every year, because we all need a little help sometimes.
Take a look at the information on the various different types of therapy available, and that will help you to choose which therapy might be right for you.
If you do decide to try one of the kinds of therapies available, then our directory lists practitioners of many of those types of therapy.
Anxiety Resources
If you're looking to read more about anxiety, you'll find a wide range of information available.... such as:
Whatever you're looking for today, remember...
We're Here To Help YOU
So do get involved!... be sure to subscribe to our FREE e-mail newsletter, and together, we can help with your anxiety.
Remember, if there's anything that we've not covered here that you think would like to see on the site, do let us know.
However you choose to get involved, we really look forward from hearing from you soon.
