Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal response to something that feels scary, dangerous, or risky.
Sometimes, moderate and fleeting anxiety can be healthy for you. It may motivate you to remain alert during a challenging situation or to stay productive. In this case, anxiety is short-term and manageable.
Some examples of circumstances that may prompt healthy anxiety include:
- First day at a new job
- Public speaking
- Difficult test
- Big family event
But, when anxiety is severe, persistent, and long-term, it becomes unhealthy, impacting your daily function.
Both genetic and environmental variables can contribute to this. Some of the common reasons for unhealthy anxiety include, but are not limited to:
- Rising stress levels and responsibilities at school, work, or home
- Experiencing hardship or a traumatic incident
- Struggling with medical problems (e.g., chronic pain, heart disease, respiratory issues)
- Suffering from side effects to specific medication
- Having a family history of mental disorders or prior personal issues with mental health
We tend to live life in a constant hurry.
We seem to always be in a rush, adapting to change and trying to check all items off our to-do lists. We think ahead, fixate on the future, and prepare for what might happen. All of us want to be our best selves, both at work and home.
Yet, sometimes the rush keeps us from doing so.
We might spread ourselves too thin, run ourselves ragged with worry, or neglect our needs. We might toss and turn at night, thinking about “what if.”
You may think these excessive nerves will eventually go away and ignore them for now. You might even pressure yourself to “get over it already.” Or, you may resort to unhealthy ways to cope with them by overeating, drinking, or engaging in other numbing behaviors.
Anxiety can be triggered by specific circumstances or come out of nowhere, growing severe and showing up more frequently than you’d like. It can affect your thoughts, feelings, and physical being to the point where performing your job, socializing, or handling day-to-day activities becomes too overwhelming. Left unaddressed, anxiety can prevent you from savoring your life.
You deserve a chance to live well, free from the rush and the worry. You are capable of finding balance for a fulfilling future. And We can help you get there.
If anxiety is making it challenging for you to meet your needs and carry on with your day, you are not alone. Many people suffer from debilitating anxiety symptoms, but very few recognize the red flags or seek help.
Common signs of unhealthy anxiety include:
Physical Sensations
- Heart racing
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Muscle pain or tension
Anxious Feelings
- Mood changes and irritability
- Restlessness
- Uncontrollable fear and panic
- Feelings of apprehension
- Menacing sense of urgency
Anxious Thoughts
- Intrusive thoughts
- Excessive and uncontrollable worry
- Avoidance of triggering conditions
- Problem focusing or concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
These signs may vary depending upon your personal story and current situation. Some people only exhibit a few, while others see themselves in many of the above.
No matter how long you or your loved one have been struggling with harmful anxiety, therapy can help.
Therapy for anxiety refers to counseling or psychotherapy to address your anxiety symptoms. You will meet with a professional therapist to discuss your concerns, explore underlying issues, and find ways to steer those anxious waves.
Therapy for anxiety can support you to:
- Get to know yourself on a deeper level
- Shift ruminating thoughts and unhelpful beliefs
- Make peace with what you can’t control
- Practice self-awareness and self-compassion
- Gain a broader perspective and practical coping mechanisms
The goal of therapy is not to “fix your anxiety” but to understand where it might be coming from and to learn evidence-based tactics to manage it when it arises.
Anxiety can present itself in various ways: some people suffer from general anxiety, some experience recurring panic attacks, and others have increased fear over particular objects, places, or social situations.
Therapy for anxiety is tailored to your specific anxiety symptoms and needs to get you closer to your wellness goals.
Therapy for anxiety can help you:
1. Identify Unhelpful Patterns
Therapy provides a safe zone for you to come as you are and share the distressing feelings and thoughts keeping you up at night. Your therapist will listen closely, without judgment, and help you recognize patterns related to your anxiety symptoms.
2. Discover and Challenge Yourself
Therapy is also a process of self-exploration and discovery. Your therapist will offer different viewpoints, challenging the distorted beliefs and dynamics that might be hiding under your anxiety.
3. Learn and Practice Coping Mechanisms
Therapy offers a comfortable environment to learn and practice skills to cope with anxiety (e.g., self-compassion exercises, breathing techniques, meditations). Your therapist has the know-how and expertise to provide recommendations customized to your unique situation for sustainable results.
We offer therapy for anxiety and other services to adults and couples all across Florida, focusing on delivering a holistic treatment. Our therapeutic approach combines Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices.
Services are currently delivered online, both in English and Spanish.
If you or your partner are battling with anxiety, please know you are not alone. We are here to help.
Contact us or call us at 407.968.6534.
your healing journey today.