Do You Feel Like Anxiety Is Getting The Best Of You ?

 

Do you feel overwhelmed by constant stress or worry in your everyday life? Are you experiencing panic attacks for the slightest reasons – or no reason at all? Do you find yourself feeling isolated from others or unable to engage in activities that you wish you could enjoy? Are you constantly second-guessing your thoughts, overthinking situations, and analyzing them to no end?

Anxiety has a way of complicating our lives, causing a variety of struggles that may affect your mental health, physical health, and relationships with others. Anxiety symptoms may include feelings of agitation, hopelessness, sadness, persistent worrying, non-stop thinking, and hypervigilance. Additionally, you may experience physical symptoms like stomach pain, trouble with digestion, a racing heart rate, shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, sweating, and fatigue.

If you find that you’re losing sleep, lying awake at night worrying about the next day, or are constantly stressed out in your daily interactions regardless of the circumstances, you may be experiencing signs of anxiety. Anxiety can keep you from attending social events, chasing your career goals, and it can wind up dictating how you live. You may think if you could just get relief from anxiety, everything would be alright. However, anxiety often stems from underlying causes that aren’t easily understood or resolved without help. Choosing to engage in anxiety therapy can provide you with the tools you’ll need to confront anxiety and loosen the reins it holds on your life.

Anxiety Comes in Many Forms

Anxiety is an extremely common condition that nearly everyone struggles with at some point. Due to the numerous responsibilities of everyday life, the demands of society, and the endless amount of distractions present, such as social media, texting, and e-mails, it’s easier than ever to feel overwhelmed. Western culture has idealized the busy lifestyle, but our non-stop approach has a tendency to take a toll, and the longer you wait to address feelings of anxiety, the more likely they are to build up.

You may notice that areas of your life are beginning to suffer as a result of your anxiety. You may start skipping work from fear of what your boss thinks; ignore medical issues out of worry for your health status;  procrastinate paying your bills to the point you lose electricity; fall behind on school assignments and receive poor grades; or constantly seek reassurance from your peers due to lacking confidence in your abilities to perform a task.

You may think avoiding your stressors can help you find relief, but that’s only a short-term fix that doesn’t always work. Anxiety can stem from more profound factors that are personal, cultural, social, or environmental. Simply working around those triggers will only enable anxiety to grow and possibly become worse than it is now. If anxiety has begun to hold you back for any reason, that’s sufficient reason to seek help.

Anxiety Therapy Can Help You Find Relief Through Acceptance

During our sessions, you’ll be able to explore the sources of your anxiety in a safe and compassionate environment.  Anxiety counseling can provide you with a chance to confront difficult personal matters, recognize your anxiety’s causes and stressors, and develop the tools necessary to resolve them.

Your first session with me is a crucial step in the right direction, and we’ll use that time to focus on discussing your symptoms and experiences with anxiety. After the first session, we’ll work to develop techniques and methods based on your needs so you can cultivate an acceptance for those aspects of yourself that may take a little more work to improve. Every person’s experience with anxiety is different. Sometimes therapy can lead to touchy subjects, but with time and practice it can become easier to confront difficult issues, and you can eventually find relief. If the possibility of us exploring certain personal topics makes you uneasy, we’ll find a pace that fits within your comfort zone.

Anxiety is tied to the flight or fight response, which occurs in situations that are perceived as harmful or a threat to survival. Because anxiety is a fear response, we’ll work to understand which stressors activate that response by tracing the triggers of your panic attacks. We will also evaluate reasons why you may be overthinking matters while identifying and challenging any distorted beliefs you may have adopted about yourself that may be fueling aspects of your anxiety. I use a combination of several anxiety treatment strategies, including guided introspection, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based therapy. I’ll also introduce you to breathing techniques, habits of mindfulness, and meditation practices that can help you work with thoughts standing in your way as well as minimize feelings of anxiety when they arise.

Exploring your anxiety can feel scary, but I’m here to provide a guiding hand and a nonjudgemental atmosphere in which you can feel safe. I’ve been in practice since 2003 and have specialized in clients dealing with anxiety since 2008. Combining my professional expertise with my own experience dealing with anxiety, I’m confident we can work together to reduce your anxiety and it’s control on your life.

Perhaps you are considering anxiety therapy but still have some concerns…

Do I Really Need Therapy?

The decision to engage in anxiety counseling is ultimately yours. Although some individuals are able to manage or resolve anxiety on their own, not everyone has the same success. If you feel like you need therapy, that’s enough reason to come in. Anxiety comes in many shapes and sizes, and it takes time to unload all of the baggage that may be causing it. Anxiety therapy could be right for you if persistent fear and doubt are interrupting your life, creating overwhelming stress, or making it impossible to relax or enjoy life on a regular basis.

What If I don’t want medication to treat my anxiety?

It’s a big misconception that medication is needed to treat anxiety. Many of my clients choose not to use any medications, but I do offer referrals for clients in need. The choice to use medication is a personal one, and I’m happy to discuss it with you during our sessions together.

Won’t I be fine if I just avoid my anxiety altogether?

Although avoidance of stressors can help ease some anxiety symptoms in the short-term, you can’t ignore your problems forever. It’s important to understand that in order to heal, you have to address underlying feelings and struggles from your past that are preventing you from reaching your potential for happiness and satisfaction. In time, you can stop avoiding people or situations and begin engaging more fully in life.

Ease The Burden Of Anxiety Today

If you’re struggling with anxiety, reaching out for help may feel difficult, but therapy can provide you with a safe environment to begin the journey to relief. If you have questions or concerns, I can help answer them during your free 15-minute consultation. You can call me at 727-480-2427.

“You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying.  What you can do is calm yourself.  The storm will pass”

-Timber Hawkeye