Anxiety
“If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following:
anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief.”
– Brené Brown
Your world feels unstable.
Your mind is on overdrive. It’s like you’re longer in control of the wheel.
You constantly worry and think about the “what-ifs.”
You wake up feeling restless and uptight, dreading the expectations of the days ahead.
You just can’t think it through!
And the worst part is the fear that you’ll lose everything if something doesn’t change.
Avoiding, over-checking, and overthinking…
Ring, ring, ring…
You look to see who’s calling and let it go to voicemail. You avoid making or returning calls. You obsess about what you’ll say before the call and what was said after it’s over.
You see a person you know approaching…
… and quickly go the other way before being seen, avoiding those brief interactions you once enjoyed. This isn’t the only situation you avoid out of fear of saying something wrong or being judged.
Anxiety is actually a normal response…
… by the mind and body to a threat – or an unfamiliar or dangerous situation.
Anxiety acts as our alarm system, creating a sense of unease, distress, or dread before a significant event.
In reasonable doses, anxiety can motivate you to stay alert and on top of tasks. These natural feelings of worry may come and go without interfering with your day-to-day existence…
But for those suffering from UNHEALTHY anxiety, it feels far from normal.
In fact, it can be completely debilitating.
It can keep you from being your best self at work, at home, and in your relationships, affecting you physically, cognitively, emotionally, and spiritually.
Do you recognize these symptoms?
Physical
Rapid heart rate or shortness of breath…
Shaking or sweating…
Nausea, dizziness, or gastrointestinal issues…
Pain or muscle tension…
Restlessness, trouble staying still, or sleep issues…
Fatigue or low energy…
Cognitive
Constant worry or ruminating about the future…
Difficulty concentrating on tasks…
Racing thoughts or intrusive self-talk…
Emotional
Moodiness, irritability, or overwhelming emotions…
A pervasive sense of urgency or imminent doom…
Disconnection from the self…
Spiritual
Existential dread…
Feeling lost or without purpose…
Doubts regarding faith and other beliefs…
And if you’re anxious because there’s “no room for mistakes”…
You might be suffering from “high-functioning anxiety.”
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve spent your life giving above what is expected.
You’ve done everything right (for the most part).
You conquer tasks at work, home, or school.
You appear confident, capable, and in control on the outside. Others even praise you for being able to manage it all.
But underneath that “flawless” exterior…
Others see your competitive nature, organizational skills, and attention to detail, but they don’t know what’s going on inside:
How you don’t feel “good enough”…
The overthinking and second-guessing your every move…
How you need constant reassurance from others…
The way “staying busy” quickly tips into being “overextended”…
How exhausted you are from the people-pleasing…
High-functioning anxiety may be an unspoken struggle that pushes you to keep going and going despite debilitating consequences for your well-being.
It’s draining, but you get things done… and the accolades you get for your “hard work and accomplishments” have probably kept you from seeking the help you might need.
You CAN find inner peace.
As your therapist, we will co-journey to overcome your anxiety so that you can enjoy a healthier, more balanced life.
Our goal is to tailor our treatment to your unique physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual self. What works well for one person may not work for another.
At your own pace, you can tell me what has happened in your life. Together, we’ll start unpacking your anxiety. We will talk a little about the past to uncover where symptoms may stem from, but our focus will be on the present, giving you the tools to worry less and start enjoying your life.
You’ll learn how to distinguish between worries that require your attention and those that are unnecessary.
You’ll gain various relaxation and breathing strategies to reduce overall stress and help you face anxiety-provoking situations.
You’ll also acquire skills to manage your anxious thoughts and tackle fears that may have been holding you back.
While all your worries won’t disappear, therapy will give you strategies to manage them better and tools to reduce their impact on your life.
Did you know women experience anxiety more often than men?
You may feel pressure to be the “perfect” employee, wife, mother, and friend. This drive for perfection may lead to persistent feelings of worry and fear.
It may feel impossible now, but…
You can feel in control of your life.
You can be confident in your choices.
You can learn how to trust yourself.
It all starts right here… right now. Reach out today, and let’s schedule your free consultation: (901) 281-7169.