Anxiety is caused by fearful thinking and fearful behaviour. If you worry that something bad will happen then you will trigger the body's stress response, commonly known as the fight or flight response. It is common for those who experience anxiety to engage in avoidance behaviours for short term relief. However, these behaviours tend to make the anxiety worse over time. Anxiety sufferers live their lives more apprehensively than others and as a result experience a higher degree of anxiety.

A phobia is a fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that typically poses little or no actual danger to an individual. This fear is intense and persistent, and it can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Phobias often result in avoidance behaviours, where the individual goes to great lengths to avoid the object or situation that triggers their fear. Phobias are specific to certain things, such as animals or heights, or enclosed spaces.

Anxiety Disorder is not a medical diagnosis. The term is used to describe a persistent emotional, psychological, and physiological state that a person is experiencing arising from an apprehensive approach to certain aspects of life.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors to promote healthier thinking and more adaptive responses to situations.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A type of psychotherapy that emphasises mindfulness and acceptance of distressing thoughts and emotions, while encouraging individuals to engage in value-driven behaviours to create a meaningful life.

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Exposure Therapy: A therapeutic approach used to treat anxiety disorders and phobias by gradually exposing individuals to feared situations, objects, or memories in a safe and controlled manner, with the goal of reducing anxiety and increasing tolerance over time.