Anxiety, stress and worry can feel confusing and overwhelming. It can come in many forms. When is it too much or a problem? Isn't it normal to worry and feel stressed?
Many people who suffer from anxiety are so used to higher levels of stress, they don't realize that they are feeling bad until the symptoms feel overwhelming. As a product of the body's fight-or-flight response, anxiety involves a wide range of physical symptoms including:
- Feeling tense, irritable or jumpy
- Anticipating the worst
- Trouble concentrating
- Watching for signs of danger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches or muscle tension
- Pounding heart
- Upset stomach, dizziness, sweating
- Difficulty in new situations or with new people
Anxiety can be limiting, especially if you find yourself avoiding stress provoking situations. You may find yourself worrying excessively, even having intrusive thoughts. In therapy I can help you to understand and learn to better manage your thoughts and feelings. Together we can work towards relief from these symptoms.
I use a variety of techniques to help people find relief from these symptoms. These techniques include:
- Controlled, strategic exposure - a way to desensitize yourself to fears, phobias or anxiety producing situations
- Visualization - a technique to help you focus on positive or neutral things rather than fears or worries
- Meditation - a way to relax mind and body, restoring feelings of peace and wellbeing
- Mindfulness techniques - skills to help you remain focused on what is happening in the present rather than worrying about the past or future
- Cognitive Behavioral techniques - methods that help you become aware of your thinking patterns and develop new patterns that are more effective
Call or email today for a free 30-minute consultation or to see if therapy is right for you.