People I work with often feel overwhelmed. Stress, anxiety, and even depression are becoming part of daily life. Sometimes, we know what’s causing these feelings—like a breakup, financial struggles, or work pressure. But other times, we just feel unsafe, unsettled, or “off” without knowing why. You may have been taught to ignore your feelings. It’s very common in society to be told to get on with it by our parents, teachers and employers.
Anxiety, PTSD, ASD and ADHD
Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience anxiety as a common and often overwhelming feeling. This anxiety can come from sensory overload, difficulty with social situations, fear of making mistakes, or struggling to meet expectations in a world that often feels unpredictable or overstimulating. For those with ADHD, anxiety may be linked to the pressure of staying focused, organized, or on time. For those with ASD, it can stem from changes in routine, uncertainty, or challenges in understanding social cues. In both cases, the nervous system is frequently on high alert, making it harder to relax or feel safe—especially in environments that aren’t supportive or accommodating. If you have PTSD symptoms, they may worsen if you are feeling more stressed than usual, manifesting during stressful events and change, such as overthinking, having flashbacks or experience loss of sleep, difficulty falling asleep and night terrors.
Your Brain and Stress: The Role of the Amygdala
When you feel threatened or stressed, a part of your brain called the amygdala kicks in. It’s like an alarm system—it helps you survive by spotting danger. But here’s the thing: the amygdala can’t always tell the difference between a real threat (like a car speeding toward you) and an emotional one (like your boss’s critical comment).
If your body stays in that “alarm” state too long, your stress can turn into anxiety. You might feel constantly on edge, jumpy, or irritable—even if nothing big is happening around you.
Maslow’s Hierarchy: Why Safety Comes First
Psychologist Abraham Maslow created a theory called the Hierarchy of Needs. At the base of his pyramid are our basic survival needs—food, water, and safety. Without safety, it’s hard to function well, let alone grow into your best self.
You might look safe on the outside—stable job, nice home—but your emotions could be telling a different story. If you feel anxious, resentful, angry, or depressed, these might be signs that something in your world doesn’t feel safe.
Setting Boundaries and Creating Safety
Boundaries are limits you set to protect your time, energy, and emotional health. They help you feel safe again—at home, at work, and in relationships. When you have clear boundaries, your amygdala doesn’t have to stay on high alert all the time. You can start to feel more calm and in control.
Here are some examples:
- Saying “no” to things that drain you.
- Limiting time with people who stress you out.
- Asking for what you need instead of staying silent.
- Stepping away from old habits that no longer serve you.
If you’re healing from something—like addiction, trauma, or burnout—boundaries are essential. They help you build a new, healthier life, even if it means letting go of certain people or routines.
You Deserve to Feel Safe
Your feelings matter. They’re not wrong or inconvenient—they’re trying to tell you what needs to change. Learning to listen to your body and emotions, and setting healthy boundaries, helps you feel safe again.
And when you feel safe, your brain and body can finally relax. You can enjoy your relationships more, perform better at work, and feel more peaceful day to day.
How counselling will help
I will provide a safe space to talk. In the sessions we will create a therapeutic relationship together and you will start to get a sense of ease, less tightness around the chest and a clearer mind. You will start to make sense of what is going on and begin to find decisions easier again, as you did before the change, the chaos or the loss of control, for example.
If we have trauma work to do, I can use trauma therapy tools such as NLP.
Are you ready to talk?
I offer a low-cost confidential service. I offer space to speak, find your voice, be really heard and validated. I am a trained professional counsellor who specialises in anxiety and trauma. Make an appointment to meet me and tell me what you want from counselling. See if you feel comfortable. The first session is over Zoom for both of our safety and then you can do sessions over Zoom from your own home or in person in mine, in my safe, comfortable therapy room.
Book your appointment today
Click here and book a free initial consultation with me today. Read what people are saying about working with me in counselling here. I hold a private, confidential space for you. I’m looking forward to meeting you and hearing you very soon. Best wishes, Karen.
Disclaimer: I am a UK qualified person centred counsellor specialising in anxiety and trauma within the context of counselling. I write from my experiences and from my client work in counselling. My work is dependent on the therapeutic relationship and the meeting of two minds. It is a humbling experience and that is all part of the healing process that I witness every day. It is the best job in the world. This is not an emergency service. If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of my sessions, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 (24/7 confidential helpline in the UK).