Pencil writing on lined paper with pencil shavings to the side

Anxiety

“Feelings don’t try to kill you, even the painful ones. Anxiety is a feeling grown too large. A feeling grown aggressive and dangerous. You’re responsible for its consequences, you’re responsible for treating it. But…you’re not responsible for causing it. You’re not morally at fault for it. No more than you would be for a tumor.” — Patrick Ness

Anxiety is a necessary human emotion and only becomes problematic when it interferes with your daily life or causes significant distress. Symptoms of anxiety may include: feeling tense, having trouble sleeping, avoiding distressing situations, increased heart rate, a sense of impending doom, and an inability to focus. Therapy can help you learn coping skills, identify and change negative thought patterns, and develop strategies for managing the symptoms of anxiety.

Some common approaches to treating anxiety include:

  1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This approach focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety.

  2. Exposure therapy: This approach involves gradually exposing the individual to the situations or objects that trigger their anxiety, in order to desensitize them and reduce their anxiety over time.

  3. Mindfulness-based therapy: This approach emphasizes the practice of mindfulness and meditation to help individuals with anxiety develop greater awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and emotions.

  4. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This approach focuses on helping individuals with anxiety learn to accept and tolerate their symptoms, rather than trying to eliminate them.

Your therapist may also provide education about anxiety, including common symptoms and strategies for managing them. They will also work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that sets you up for success. This may include a referral for medication management or a plan for other activities outside of session time. Overall the goal is to help you manage your symptoms, improve your overall well-being, and achieve a greater sense of calm and relaxation in your life.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by excessive and persistent worry or fear about everyday situations or events. People with GAD often experience feelings of nervousness, tension, and unease that can interfere with their daily activities and relationships. Symptoms of GAD can include:

    Excessive worry about a variety of topics, including work, health, relationships, and finances

    Difficulty controlling worrying thoughts

    Restlessness or feeling on edge

    Fatigue or difficulty sleeping

    Muscle tension or muscle aches

    Irritability or feeling easily agitated

    Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder can develop at any age and is often accompanied by other mental health conditions such as depression and other anxiety disorders.

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

    Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent and excessive fear or anxiety about social situations in which the individual may be scrutinized or evaluated by others. People with SAD often feel embarrassed, self-conscious, and inadequate in social situations, and they may avoid or endure these situations with intense distress. SAD symptoms can include:

    Intense fear or anxiety in social situations, such as speaking in public, meeting new people, or participating in group activities

    Fear of being judged or criticized by others

    Worrying about doing something embarrassing or humiliating

    Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with extreme discomfort

    Physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating, blushing, trembling, or nausea

    Difficulty making eye contact or speaking up in social situations

    Fear of being the center of attention

    SAD can significantly impact a person's daily life, relationships, and career opportunities. It can also lead to the development of depression and substance use concerns.

  • Panic Disorder

    Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear or discomfort that typically last several minutes, although they can sometimes be shorter or longer. During a panic attack, people may experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms, including:

    Racing heartbeat or palpitations

    Sweating

    Trembling or shaking

    Shortness of breath or feeling like you're choking

    Chest pain or discomfort

    Nausea or abdominal distress

    Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint

    Fear of losing control or going crazy

    Fear of dying

    People with panic disorder often worry about having future panic attacks and may change their behavior to avoid situations or places that they associate with previous panic attacks. This avoidance behavior can significantly impact their daily life and may lead to the development of agoraphobia.

  • Phobias

    A phobia is an extreme and irrational fear or aversion towards a particular object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger. People with phobias experience intense anxiety and panic when they encounter the object of their fear or even anticipate its presence.

    Phobias can be classified into three main types:

    Specific phobias: These are intense fears of specific objects or situations, such as fear of flying, fear of spiders, fear of heights, or fear of enclosed spaces.

    Social phobia: Also known as social anxiety disorder, this is an intense fear of social situations in which the person fears being scrutinized, evaluated, or embarrassed by others.

    Agoraphobia: This is a fear of being in situations or places where escape may be difficult or impossible, such as being in a crowded place or using public transportation.

    Phobias can interfere with a person's daily life and limit their activities and relationships. They can also lead to the development of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.