Anxiety treatment in Copenhagen
Anxiety is a natural reaction, but when it becomes persistent or starts to limit your everyday life, it may be an anxiety disorder. It can show itself as worry, restlessness, catastrophic thoughts, palpitations or avoidance.
At Nordisk Psykiatri we offer psychological and medical treatment of anxiety for adults in Copenhagen, focusing on understanding and working with what triggers and maintains the anxiety. Sometimes anxiety stands alone; at other times it is part of underlying ADHD or autism. That is why we always look at the whole picture.
Types of anxiety we treat
Social anxiety
Marked fear of being evaluated or humiliated in social situations. Can lead to avoidance of social interactions.
Panic disorder
Sudden and intense attacks of anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Persistent worry and anxiety regarding various everyday situations.
Specific phobia
Intense fear of specific objects or situations (e.g. heights, animals, flying).
Health anxiety
Persistent worry about serious illness despite medical reassurance.
Other anxiety conditions
E.g. agoraphobia, separation anxiety, obsessions, or fear of losing control.
Symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety can manifest differently from person to person. Some primarily experience bodily symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or restlessness, while others notice catastrophic thoughts and avoidance.
Even when symptoms feel overwhelming, anxiety is a treatable condition. With the right understanding, gradual exposure, and concrete strategies, you can learn to face anxiety and regain freedom in your daily life.
Treatment can reduce anxiety
Through psychological treatment we work with the thoughts, reactions and avoidance that maintain the anxiety. Exposure can be a central part of treatment and contribute to greater freedom and quality of life.
Exposure is an important part of anxiety treatment
Once we understand what triggers and maintains the anxiety, we can gradually begin to approach what feels difficult – at a safe pace and with support. Exposure is not about pushing yourself, but about gradually practising being in situations you would otherwise tend to avoid. In this way you can gain new experiences with the anxiety and reduce the need for avoidance. Over time, this can give you greater freedom to do what is important and meaningful to you.
How exposure is planned makes a big difference. For a stand-alone anxiety disorder, exposure therapy typically involves gradually challenging the situations the anxiety makes you avoid. For adults with autism, however, anxiety can be an understandable reaction to sensory overload, unpredictability or social demands. Here it rarely helps to "get used to" what is causing the strain. Many adults with autism have had exposure therapy that did not take this into account and therefore did more harm than good. Treating anxiety in autism therefore requires an adapted approach, in which we first understand what the anxiety is an expression of.
How we work with exposure
Exposure takes place gradually and in close collaboration with you. The goal is not to remove the anxiety, but to create new experiences and reduce the need for avoidance.
Preparation
Together, we examine which situations you avoid, what triggers anxiety, and what you wish to do more freely in everyday life.
Gradual exposure
We establish a manageable hierarchy and practice step by step at a pace adapted to you.
Repetition and learning
Through repetition, the brain creates new experiences, allowing anxiety to diminish over time while your confidence grows.
Greater everyday freedom
We work on translating your core values into concrete actions so you can live more freely – even when anxiety is present.
The goal is not to remove the anxiety, but to give you more freedom in your everyday life.
The psychologist's tips for managing anxiety
Name the anxiety
Notice what happens in your body and thoughts without trying to force it to change.
Do not avoid everything
Small steps towards the difficult help the brain learn that anxiety will subside.
Speak kindly to yourself
Approach yourself with warmth and self-compassion rather than criticism when anxiety peaks.
Anxiety cannot be controlled by force
The more you attempt to suppress anxiety, the more room it often occupies. It helps more to give it space and let it pass.
Ready to get help with your anxiety?
Book an initial consultation, and let us find out how we can best support you.
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