Therapy for Anxiety

When anxiety strikes…

It’s like an unwelcome visitor who appears unexpectedly, often without an invitation.

It’s a restless, uneasy feeling that settles deep in the chest or belly, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming.

Sometimes it’s a tightness that constricts breathing, a fluttering heartbeat that won’t slow down, or a racing mind that seems stuck in overdrive.

It’s not just about worry or stress; anxiety can feel like standing on the edge of a precipice, constantly anticipating a fall, even when you’re on solid ground.

Why do I feel anxious all the time?

Anxiety happens when your fight, flight or freeze system gets activated in the face of real or perceived danger.

In today’s hectic, overly-stimulated world, it’s hard not to feel anxious. While anxiety is a normal human response to an overloaded nervous system, it can be very challenging to manage day to day.

Anxiety manifests in different ways for different people: some may experience persistent thoughts that loop endlessly, while others might feel a sense of dread that weighs heavily, making it hard to focus.

It’s an emotional turbulence that can make you question your own safety or worth, despite evidence to the contrary.

The smallest problems can feel insurmountable, and sometimes, it’s hard to separate rational concerns from the amplified fears that anxiety presents.

Why can’t I get rid of anxiety?

If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of time and energy doing whatever you can to minimize or control your anxiety. This makes perfect sense – who wants to feel anxious!?

The problem is that the more you try to get rid of your anxiety, the more intense the anxiety seems to get.

It’s like quicksand; the more you struggle to get out of it, the deeper in you sink.

Anxiety is the number one reason people seek therapy. You’ve literally tried everything to ease your pervasive fear and dread, and yet still, it persists. Getting a better sense of the type of anxiety you experience will guide you to get the right type of treatment you need.

Which type of anxiety is worse for you?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) GAD involves excessive, persistent worry about everyday things, such as work, health, relationships, or daily activities. The worries are often disproportionate to the actual situation, and it can feel as if the mind is constantly “on alert” for potential threats. Physical symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating often accompany GAD.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Social anxiety disorder is characterized by an intense fear of social situations or interactions. You may worry about being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in front of others. This can lead to avoiding social situations altogether, which may interfere with daily life, work, or relationships. Social anxiety isn’t just shyness; it involves a debilitating level of fear that can cause physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, nausea, or a racing heart in social settings.

Panic Disorder Panic disorder involves recurring panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger severe physical reactions, like chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or feelings of detachment from reality. The attacks often come without warning and can occur even during calm periods. The fear of having another panic attack can lead to avoiding situations where attacks have previously occurred.

SCHEDULE THERAPY FOR ANXIETY

OCD and PTSD are anxiety, too.

While GAD, social anxiety and panic disorder are in themselves really unpleasant and disruptive to your daily functioning, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are a part of the anxiety family, but are in a league of their own.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). The obsessions can be distressing and intrusive, such as fears of contamination, fears of causing harm, or having things “just right.” The compulsions are rituals or actions performed to relieve the anxiety associated with the obsessions, like excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging objects. Although people with OCD often realize these thoughts and behaviors are irrational, they feel compelled to continue them to reduce anxiety temporarily.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It involves persistent symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive memories of the trauma. People with PTSD may avoid reminders of the event and feel detached from others. They may also experience heightened arousal, such as being easily startled or having difficulty sleeping.

If you are experiencing symptoms of OCD or PTSD, please seek help right away. There are very specific treatment modalities to help reduce and resolve your symptoms. In particular, mindfulness-based, trauma-informed therapy for anxiety is especially helpful.

THERAPY FOR OCD and PTSD

Anxiety affects all of us and is a normal part of life. If your symptoms of anxiety are interfering with your ability to function day to day, impacting your sleeping and eating, or preventing you from things you long to do, like socializing or traveling to far off places, ACT Therapy can help.

ACT Therapy is the Gold Standard

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven approach to treating anxiety effectively, while shifting the focus from trying to “fix” yourself, to living with more purpose and meaning.

Focus on Acceptance ACT is a “paradoxical approach”. Rather than struggle with your anxiety to get rid of it, you learn to accept your anxious thoughts and feelings, even if you don’t like them. The irony is, the less you fight to control your anxiety, the less of a problem it becomes.

Mindfulness Techniques Mindfulness helps you observe your anxious thoughts and feelings as they arise, creating a sense of distance between the self and the anxiety. Practicing mindfulness is a proven way to regulate your nervous system and calm yourself.

Psychological Flexibility and Willingness ACT promotes psychological flexibility; an anxiety-busting superpower. Willingness involves being open to experiencing your anxiety while continuing to take actions toward what matters most.