Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is characterized by an increase in worry and daily stress (i.e. standing in line at the store, traffic, finances, social media, video game stress, texting, and social pressures to measure up). Our thoughts about our life experiences also contribute to the worries, often telling us the worst will happen. When we begin to fear approaching worries, we tend to withdraw and avoid worrisome events; this avoidance continues the cycle of anxiety. Anxiety can have many symptoms, such as irritability, aggression, panic, sleep disturbance, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness that lasts for several months.

Medical conditions can also lead to anxiety, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or thyroid disorders. Genetics also plays a role in who experiences anxiety.

Approach

Anxiety is very treatable. Anxiety, like any other emotion, is a very normal part of our human experience. Generally, we will explore your anxieties and discuss how you have been interacting with, or avoiding, anxieties. There are several approaches to working through anxieties and worries. My job is to understand your particular fears, anxieties, or worries and match interventions that fit with your values. Finding the connection between your anxiousness and your values is very powerful and liberating. When you build a new and healthy response to your anxiety, you will typically find more freedom in your relationships, daily life functioning, and work.

Medical conditions will need to be addressed with a medical professional. I will work with your provider to discuss treatment and coordinate your care.

Additionally, if you have anxiety with suicidal thoughts, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Please take yourself to the nearest emergency room or dial 911 (for clients located in the United States).