Anxiety is part of the human experience; it can be a motivator, enhance performance and protect you from undesirable consequences. The problem comes when anxiety inhibits you from living and loving fully.
Is anxiety limiting your life? Are you struggling with fears, feelings of panic, or a barrage of disturbing thoughts? Is your anxiety causing you a great deal of frustration? Do you wish you could just flip a switch and turn it off, but you can’t so you feel broken or damaged or simply exhausted by the energy it takes to live with anxiety? Often the things we do to try to escape anxiety only generate increased distress. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are among the most highly treatable of mental health conditions with psychotherapy or in conjunction with medication. It is important for you to know that you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults, age 18 and over. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Facts & Statistics)
Anxiety can show up in many different ways, including:
- Constant worrying
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Panic attacks
- Obsessive or negative thoughts
- Nervousness in social situations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Procrastination
- Performance anxiety
- Unusual sensory experiences, such as feelings of unreality
For many people, anxiety can manifest itself as physical symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Back pains, or other body aches
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Elevated heart rate
We will start treating your anxiety by first addressing your specific symptoms, usually through cognitive behavioral, stress management and mindfulness techniques to lower the frequency and intensity of your distress. Once you feel that you are managing your anxiety more effectively, you may decide that you would like to explore more deeply the underlying issues which have created and driven your anxiety. At this stage in our work, you will have the tools you need to work through difficult emotions and experiences without feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. Through our collaborative work you will reconnect with your innate ability to heal so that you can live and love more fully.