Am I Struggling with Anxiety?
- Have you been consumed by excessive worrying?
- Are you feeling agitated, short-tempered, irritable, or quick to anger, and frustrated as to why you are feeling so out-of-character?
- Have you been feeling restless while at the same time unexplainably tired?
- Has it been difficult to stay on task or complete daily tasks that used to come easy?
You may even be experiencing physical symptoms, such as GI issues, headaches, chronic fatigue, or brain fog. You have probably wondered if these feelings will ever stop.
Your Days May Feel Something Like This
Waking up after a restless sleep, you convince yourself to get up and get ready for the day. Mindlessly scrolling through social media or taking part in your favorite morning workout routine dims the intrusive thoughts momentarily, but they quickly return; to-do lists, possible conflicts that may arise today, the list of friends you should connect with soon so that they do not become upset with you.
You are not even at work yet, and your mind is achingly tired. The rest of your day unfolds with similar mental gymnastics in your mind, but you somehow make it through another day, more exhausted than ever. It is an unexplainable exhaustion, but you know the feeling all too well.
The idea of socializing brings a tightness to your chest and a lump in your throat, though you have never thought of yourself as having social anxiety. Thoughts of having a difficult conversation at work brings a heat wave to your body and tingles in your fingertips. If only you could escape these symptoms, you could finally be yourself again; confident, well-spoken, and full of light.
You are not alone
Anxiety is common, but certainly does not have to be normal. After all, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, almost 7 million adults in the US are affected by anxiety disorders (6.8 million to be exact). Only about half of those affected are actively seeking treatment, whether it be social anxiety therapy, CBT therapy for anxiety, or OCD therapy.
Anxiety can feel like a giant brick-wall around you that no one seems to notice, but you cannot escape. When others do notice, you may be met with statements like, “just be grateful for what you have”, or “just be more positive." When is the last time a statement like this was able to provide you with relief?
Freedom from anxiety is possible
Low levels of anxiety are normal. After all, anxiety originated from our fight or flight response – that instinct to run or fight real danger. But we are now in the 21st century, where fight-or-flight is constantly activated by perceived threats all around us.
It is difficult for anxiety to resolve on its own. Many are not taught awareness, coping skills, or support they can turn to in times of anxiety that begins to interfere with daily functioning.
That is where I come in. With support and using evidence-based therapy, I have seen first-hand the freedom and healing that those committed to therapy can obtain.
What will therapy provide for me?
“After successfully completing therapy, what do you want to look or feel different for you?”
This is the ‘magic question’ that I often ask to capture your treatment goals that will be used to guide your therapy process. After an in-depth intake assessment, I will develop an individualized treatment approach to address your unique challenges and move you towards your desired outcome.
Tools such as thought reframing techniques, stress reduction tactics, and exploring roots and causes of anxiety are just some of the skills that may be incorporated into your individualized course of treatment.
I don’t even know myself without anxiety. How do I even know what I want from therapy?
You and I will work collaboratively to create treatment goals, but even the goal setting does not have to happen overnight! We can start by exploring your recent anxiety symptoms and triggers, and the ways it has impacted your functioning. Tools and skills can be discussed, put into practice, and re-worked in future sessions. The beauty of therapy is the ability to trust and unfold along the way.
What if I don’t want to be on medication?
I do not require you to be on medication in order to receive therapy for your anxiety. Many individuals find great success in therapy alone to treat their anxiety. In some cases, medication can be helpful, even if just temporarily. If that is the case or something you wish to explore, I am happy to send along provider referrals, or coordinate with your prescriber to ensure collaborative care for you.
How do I take the next step?
If you think I might be a good fit, or would like to chat more before being scheduled, simply contact me. I an happy to chat and answer any questions or concerns. You deserve to be free from the weight of anxiety.