What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural and common human emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. It’s like a built-in alarm system that our body uses to alert us to potential dangers or stressful situations. When you face something challenging or uncertain, your brain releases chemicals and triggers a ‘fight or flight’ response to help you respond to the situation.
However, sometimes this response can become overactive or triggered inappropriately, which leads to anxiety disorders. These disorders include, but are not limited to Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Phobias. In these cases, you might experience excessive worry, fear, or unease that feels overwhelming and hard to control. These feelings can manifest in physical sensations like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and muscle tension.
How can a therapist help me manage my symptoms?
In therapy, we’ll work together to explore the underlying causes of your anxiety, identify specific triggers, and develop effective strategies for managing your symptoms. I use evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and relaxation techniques to help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to your anxiety.