Mental Health Conditions | Anxiety

Anxiety

While it’s normal to experience anxiety occasionally (e.g., before an important event), persistent or excessive anxiety may interfere with daily life and could indicate an anxiety disorder. If any of this resonates with you, then don’t hesitate to reach out for support!

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a licensed mental health professional for advice specific to your situation.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural emotional response to stress or perceived danger, characterized by feelings of worry, fear, or nervousness.

If you have ever found yourself asking:

• Why can’t I stop overthinking everything?
• What if I mess up or make the wrong decision?.
• Why does my body feel like it’s in danger, even when I’m safe?
• Am I the only one who feels this on edge all the time?

Then you may have anxiety.

Types of anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of everyday topics (e.g., work, health, relationships), often without a clear trigger. Individuals may experience restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Panic Disorder:

Involves sudden and repeated episodes of intense fear or discomfort, known as panic attacks. Symptoms include a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a feeling of impending doom, even when there’s no real danger.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Centers around intense fear of social or performance situations where one may be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized. This can lead to avoidance of social settings and difficulty forming relationships or participating in everyday activities..

Specific Phobias:

Marked by an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, needles, animals). The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger and can lead to avoidance behavior.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Its own category in the DSM-5, PTSD shares strong connections with anxiety. It results from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and includes symptoms such as hypervigilance, intrusive memories, avoidance, and emotional numbness.

Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Presentation:

Triggered by a significant life change or stressor (e.g., divorce, job loss, moving). Individuals experience excessive worry, nervousness, or difficulty concentrating that is disproportionate to the stressor but not severe enough to meet criteria for another anxiety disorder.

What are the signs someone may be experiencing anxiety?

Living with anxiety can feel like a constant state of worry or fear, even when there’s nothing specific to worry about. You might find yourself overthinking situations, feeling restless, or constantly anticipating the worst. It can show up in many ways: a racing heart, difficulty concentrating, or feeling like you can’t control your thoughts. Sometimes, even everyday tasks like going to work or socializing can feel overwhelming.

If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, you may be wondering why it feels so difficult to just “calm down.” The truth is, anxiety isn’t just about worrying too much. It’s a natural response in our bodies when we feel threatened. For some people, it becomes a more constant presence. With the right support and skills, it’s possible to find peace, feel more confident in your ability to cope, and start living without the constant weight of anxiety on your shoulders.

What are effective ways to treat anxiety?

In therapy, we’ll work together to understand your anxiety triggers, how they show up in your life, and how you can gain more control over your thoughts and reactions. We’ll explore strategies to ground you in the present moment, challenge negative thought patterns, and teach you tools to manage your anxiety so it doesn’t dictate your life.

Treatment approaches I offer are:

• Psychoeducation and nervous system regulation – Education about how anxiety works in the brain and body can help reduce fear and increase your feeling of control over your worry.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Gives you tangible skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps you identify and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. It focuses on developing healthier thinking habits and practical coping strategies.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – While originally developed for trauma, EMDR can also help with anxiety by targeting the root causes and reprocessing distressing memories or beliefs.