What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Someone experiencing panic and anxiety is feeling the effects of the 'fight or flight' response. The fight or flight response is our bodies natural response to a perceived danger. When it is activated, hormones are released into the body to enable us to either deal with or escape from the dangerous situation.

The effects of the fight or flight response include an increase in our heart rate to pump blood faster to the lungs, muscles and brain. We breath more rapidly to increase our oxygen levels, our muscles tense ready for action and many functions not necessary for fighting or escaping, such as digestion or reproduction, slow or stop.

It is important to realise that what we think about can actually activate the fight or flight response. Our minds and bodies can't tell the difference between the thoughts about a situation and the situation itself. Therefore by simply thinking, worrying or 'what if'-ing about something you are actually activating the fight or flight response in exactly the same way as if you were actually experiencing it in reality.

Many people develop panic disorder following a major life stress or a build up of stress. Major life stress can include a death of a loved one, moving home, loss of employment, relationship problems, financial problems, a physical illness, birth of a child etc.

Common examples of anxiety are public speaking anxiety, performance anxiety, health anxiety, blushing, exam nerves, fear of flying, financial worries and driving anxiety.

There are several different anxiety disorders and people may experience symptoms of more than one at the same time.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is persistence and excessive anxiety or worry about events or activities which may or may not happen.

Panic Disorder is the fear of having a spontaneous panic attack. The intensity of the attack can be extremely severe and many people feel they are having a heart attack and/or are going to die or are going insane.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the experience of obsessive, unwanted thoughts and/or compulsive behaviours. This can include repetitive behaviours such as cleaning, checking, counting, repeating words silently, or hand washing.

Social Anxiety is the experience of fear, anxiety or panic in social situations. People may fear embarrassing themselves or making a fool of themselves in some way.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the experience, or witness of, or confrontation with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death, or serious injury, or threat of physical injury of self or others. The major feature of PTSD is the reliving of the event through dreams, nightmares or flashbacks.

Specific Phobias are an excessive fear about a specific thing (animals, heights, flying, blood etc.) The object or situation is avoided or provokes extreme anxiety.

People with an anxiety disorder can also experience a number of different symptoms as a result of their disorder. It is very important for you to discuss your symptoms with your doctor so that a full medical assessment can be made. Do not self diagnose.

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Symptoms of anxiety may include:

PLEASE NOTE: If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms then get them checked out by a doctor right away. Panic attacks and anxiety can mimic a number of physical conditions, and it is important for you to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack may be experienced with any of the anxiety disorders and is a sudden rush of intense and uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, and confusion. Which is coupled with negative thoughts about the situation (e.g. making a scene, looking foolish, having a heart attack, not being able to breathe etc.).

Symptoms of panic attacks can include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or light-headedness, derealisation or depersonalisation, fear of losing control or going 'crazy', fear of dying, paresthesia, and chills or hot flushes.

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The Treatment

The treatment available at both the Harley Street and Manchester practices is highly individualised to each persons requirements, so the exact form of treatment and number of sessions will vary from person to person. However you could be feeling better in as little as 6 to 8 sessions for specific anxiety related issues, for more deep rooted or complex problems, 8 or more will be required.

The approach is integrative, and treatment combines elements of many therapies, including Contemporary Psychotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Self Relations Psychotherapy, Gestalt, TA, CBT, Counselling, Hypnotherapy and life coaching which are individually recognised as highly successful ways of changing peoples behaviours and perceptions and I'm sure you can imagine the amazing benefits of combining these powerful techniques, allowing you to quickly and easily change the thoughts and behaviours you currently have so you just find yourself changing in beneficial ways.

I am a professional and experienced Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner and Advanced Hypnotherapist. I was trained by some of the best trainers in the United Kingdom including Paul McKenna, and Dr Richard Bandler - the creator of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). I combine all my skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to meet your personal needs. So that I can help you to change in the most effortless ways possible.

Don't see exactly what you are looking for? Then do please get in touch to discuss your requirements. My extensive training and years of experience has given me the flexibility and knowledge to help you deal with many psychological issues.

All treatment is carried out in a completely confidential, highly constructive, relaxed, supportive and non-judgemental environment.

Each session lasts 50 minutes. (See the consultation fees page for session prices and discounts.)

When you are committed to make the inner changes you need to control your anxiety, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

Please consider joining the email mailing list to be kept up to date with upcoming events.

Just how much is your health and well-being worth to you?

Consultation Fees

Session fees are paid at the time of booking.
You may pay by cash, cheque, Debit Card, credit card or online.

Cost when paying per session:

See the consultation fees page for session prices and discounts.

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Booking is easy

NOTE: Before booking it is very important that you get your symptoms diagnosed by a medical practitioner or doctor.

I recommend booking an Initial Consultation/Assessment Session first. This gives us the chance to begin to explore your issues and your requirements further, give you honest answers to any questions you might have, give you a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may require and begin the process of change.

I practice from a consulting room on Harley Street, London and also in Chorlton in South Manchester.

When you are ready to make the inner changes you need, simply phone me on 0207 183 4548 or to make an appointment now.

Please consider joining the email mailing list to be kept up to date with upcoming events.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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Nigel Magowan
BSc(Hons) UKCP(CIT) DABCH MCAHyp GHR SQHP MHA AMPM
Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Ecotherapist, Accredited Supervisor and Advanced Hypnotherapist

About Nigel Magowan

Nigel Magowan is a professional and experienced Solution-Focused Integrative Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Licensed NLP Master Practitioner, Advanced Hypnotherapist and Ecotherapist. Nigel has trained with some of the best trainers. He combines all his training, skills and experience to produce a treatment that is tailored to your exact needs. He uses a Brief Integrative Solution-Focused approach to his work which can bring about results in a much shorter time. He has also received additional specialist training in working with addictive behaviours, treating IBS, managing pain, stress management techniques, and Ecotherapy. Nigel is also a fully trained and accredited supervisor and offers supervision to other therapists.

He has his own busy Psychotherapy, Counselling, Life Coaching, NLP and Hypnotherapy practices on Harley Street, London and also in Chorlton, South Manchester.

He specialises in helping people with anxiety, panic attacks, stress management, addictions, IBS, pain control, confidence and self esteem, insomnia, public speaking and performance anxiety, fears, phobias, smoking cessation, weight loss, and study and sport performance enhancement.

He is a a UKCP Candidate in Training; a full member of the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy; a senior member of the General Hypnotherapy Register, a full member of the Hypnotherapy Association; an Approved Anxiety UK Therapist; a Professional Member of the Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP); the NHS Directory of Complementary & Alternative Practitioners; the UK Register of IBS Therapists; the National Register of Practitioners in Smoking Cessation

He practices according to the Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy, General Hypnotherapy Standards Council, ANLP and Hypnotherapy Associations code of ethics.

Nigel holds an enhanced CRB certificate and has full Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Qualifications and Training

Continuing Professional Development
Current and on-going training and supervision, keeping my skills fresh and at the cutting edge

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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