Understanding & Healing Anxiety
Anxiety can overwhelm the mind and body, but it doesn’t have to control your life.
At DIVE Healing®, we go beyond symptom relief to help you uncover the root causes of your anxiety, offering a holistic approach that restores balance, calm, and inner peace.
Begin your healing journey today.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to fear or excessive worry, often accompanied by negative thoughts and uncomfortable physical sensations such as trembling, irregular breathing, a racing heart, upset stomach, and muscle tension in the chest, neck, and shoulders.
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While we all experience moments of fear or worry from time to time, when anxiety becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can significantly impact your quality of life. Acute anxiety can be protective, triggering our "fight or flight" response when we sense danger. This is a vital mechanism for survival, but when triggered too frequently, it can be taxing on the body and mind.
At DIVE Healing®, we take a holistic approach to understanding and addressing anxiety. Rather than simply working at the symptom level, we help you uncover the deeper reasons anxiety may be showing up in your life right now, and guide you toward lasting transformation.
How anxiety can affect the body
Signs and symptoms of anxiety
Thoughts (Cognition)
Anxiety often leads to racing thoughts, excessive worry, or negative thinking patterns, such as:
"I can't cope."
"It will be a disaster."
"I'm a failure."
These thoughts can be overwhelming and out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared event, leading to persistent distress.
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Behaviour
Anxiety can cause avoidance or escape behaviours, where you may try to flee from situations, people, or activities that trigger your anxiety. This often provides temporary relief but reinforces the cycle of fear.
Common types of anxiety
Specific Phobias
Intense fear of specific objects or situations (e.g., animals, flying, elevators). Individuals may go to great lengths to avoid these triggers.
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Panic Attacks
A sudden wave of uncontrollable anxiety that triggers physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Although distressing, panic attacks are not life-threatening and are not an indication of a mental breakdown.
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Generalised Anxiety
Persistent worry about various aspects of life for more than six months. This form of anxiety often involves excessive concern over everyday matters, like health, work, and relationships.
Other Conditions
Anxiety is also a key component of disorders like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
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What influences anxiety?
There is no singular cause for anxiety per se; rather, it’s the result of a complex interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors, such as:
Biological Factors
Genetic predisposition or family history of mental health issues
Substance use (drugs, alcohol, medications)
Physical health conditions (e.g., heart disease, spinal cord injury)
Neurological factors
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Social Environment Factors
Childhood trauma or difficult family upbringing
Stressful or unsafe home environments
Ongoing relationship conflict, domestic violence, or social isolation
Financial stress, unemployment, or lack of access to services
Psychological Factors
A sensitive or passive personality
Poor coping mechanisms or interpersonal skills
Co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, OCD, depression)
When should I seek professional help for anxiety?
If you find that anxiety is interfering with your ability to engage in daily life or enjoy meaningful activities, it may be time to seek help. Persistent feelings of worry, accompanied by avoidance of people, situations, or activities for more days than not, can affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
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At DIVE Healing®, we understand that healing anxiety is not just about symptom relief—it’s about uncovering the deeper roots of your anxiety and learning how to approach life from a place of balance and inner peace. If anxiety is keeping you from fully experiencing life, professional support can provide you with the tools and insight to regain control.
How We Help at DIVE Healing®
Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on symptom management, we work with you to uncover the underlying causes of your anxiety. By integrating therapeutic approaches such as trauma-informed psychology, sound medicine, and somatic techniques, we support you in accessing your body's natural ability to heal and find deeper self-understanding.
We create a compassionate, non-judgmental space that allows you to feel safe, supported, and empowered. Our holistic approach helps you explore not just the ‘why’ behind your anxiety but also how to cultivate long-lasting strategies to move through life with more ease and confidence.
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Change
Are you ready to break free from the cycle of anxiety and uncover the deeper reasons it’s showing up in your life?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your healing journey with DIVE Healing®.
Together, we’ll work toward a more balanced, peaceful, and empowered you.