“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. - Mark Twain”
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent types of mental illness in the United States and abroad. They encompass a variety of symptoms and forms. Most common symptoms include excessive worry that is out of proportion to the present situation, feeling restless or on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and GI issues, to name a few. Some of the most common forms of anxiety disorders include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - anxiety symptoms occur in multiple environments and situations. For example, excessive worry about the death of a healthy family member, about work deadlines, or about not being a good parent.
Social anxiety - anxiety symptoms occur in social and performance settings
Specific phobias - fear of specific objects, animals, situations
Panic disorder - sudden and unpredictable panic attacks and worries about having panic attacks
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - intrusive and obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors
Whichever form the anxiety takes, it can be very uncomfortable and get in the way of living a full life.
The good news is that therapy can be very helpful in managing anxiety. Together we will develop awareness of your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and how they influence each other. You will learn to navigate difficult emotions and become less overwhelmed by them. We will also explore your core beliefs and values for a lasting recovery.
If you are experiencing social anxiety, specific phobias, or obsessive thoughts leading to compulsive behaviors, we will tackle them with additional behavioral strategies such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).