Anxiety
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States impacting over 40 million Americans. Unfortunately, many people don’t receive the treatment they need. Living with anxiety can make daily tasks feel daunting and overwhelming. It can also impact both your social and physical health.
Many factors, such as trauma, genetics, significant life stressors, burnout, and grief, can cause anxiety. Anxiety isn’t a single disorder instead, it refers to a cluster of various conditions. For example, people with generalized anxiety disorder experience intrusive nervousness and tension about various issues. They feel persistent and excessive worry about everyday life events. People with social anxiety disorder struggle with anxiety in social interactions. They may avoid speaking in public or attending social events due to the fear of being judged or otherwise rejected. People with panic disorder struggle with recurrent panic attacks. During these attacks, they feel intense dread and terror and experience a sense of losing control.
How Does Anxiety or Fear Impact Your Well-Being?
Anxiety or fear can undoubtedly compromise one’s quality of life. People may lose their appetite or sleep over excessive worrying. They may avoid taking certain risks or making needed changes because of fearing the worst-case scenario. And even if they know their anxiety is irrational, their thoughts may continue to race without them understanding how to slow them down.
How I Can Help You Manage Your Anxiety
Successful anxiety treatment integrates identifying anxiety triggers with utilizing healthier coping skills to manage the distress. By changing the automatic responses to anxiety, people can establish more control over their symptoms. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety altogether. The goal is to feel greater confidence and empowerment over managing anxiety when it does arise.
Our work will focus on facing your anxiety without succumbing to it through manageable exposures and supported practice. You will learn valuable skills related to relaxation, exposure, and mindfulness. You will also practice challenging the negative thoughts you have related to your anxiety, and you will learn healthier ways to reframe your thinking.