Imagine Your Life with Less Anxiety
Imagine what your life could be like if you were able to manage your anxiety? Would it look like: less excessive worry, not feeling on edge all of the time, having more energy, focusing better, restful sleep or something else? Do you think your life would improve even a little bit if you were able to do any of these? If you answered YES, then counseling may be a path for you to consider.
Anxiety really bites. It’s like, “...a hummingbird. Heart beating rapidly, wings frantically flapping to maintain its position in space. Incapacitated in time yet in constant motion.” And don’t think you’re alone, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), over 40 million Americans have an anxiety disorder - that’s almost 20% of adults.
But why do so many people suffer from anxiety? Well, there are several different reasons:
Stressful life experiences
Genetic predisposition from family members
Certain medical conditions (for example, heart disease, diabetes or respiratory problems)
Possible side effect from certain medications
Along with all of these causes, factors such as trauma, stress, other mental health disorders or drug/alcohol use can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety. Periodic anxiety is normal and a healthy emotion that everyone experiences. It is common to experience occasional anxiety if there is for example stress at work or a health issue or if you’re experiencing financial problems. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is excessive and disrupts your life.
So I want you to consider this, is anxiety disrupting my life? Is it causing me to avoid going to events? Is it causing me to blame myself for anything that goes wrong? Is it causing me and my loved ones to miss out on activities? Is it causing me to miss work? Is it causing me trouble sleeping? Is it causing me to feel on edge all of the time? Is it causing me to become easily irritated/frustrated? Is it causing me difficulty concentrating on my daily routines? If any of these rings true for you, then therapy could help!
In my practice, anxiety is by far the top condition individuals seek my services. It is possible to regain control over your anxiety. Does it take time? Yes. Does it require work? Yes. Does it require some difficult conversations? Yes. So, if you’re ready to take the next step, please schedule an appointment so we can develop a plan to address your anxiety. Remember anxiety is not the one in control, you are!
Sources:
Analogy and metaphor writing. http://www.metamia.com/analogize.php?q=anxiety. July 2022.
CBS Publishers & Distributors, Pvt. Ltd. (2017). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: Dsm-5.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2018). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961. Mayo Clinic. July 2022.
