Anxiety

Worrying and feeling anxiety is a normal experience. However, excessive anxiety can interfere with an individual’s daily life. Many individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders also experience mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder. 

Common symptoms of anxiety may include:  

• persistently feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge.

• constant overthinking, including thinking about the worst situations.

• concentration difficulties.

• restlessness or trouble relaxing.

• irritable mood.

• muscle tension or chest discomfort. 

• palpitations, shortness of breath or a choking sensation.      

• sleep issues.

• fatigue or tiredness.

• stomach problems or nausea. 

• sweating or chills.

Anxiety may cause avoidance of threatening cues or situations (such as work, specific individuals, or certain places), freezing, difficulty speaking, and zoning out, which may disturb your social, occupational, and/or academic functioning.   

Seek professional support if:

• your anxiety interferes with your work, socialization, or academic achievement.   

• you are not able to stop or control worrying nearly every day over the past three months.

• to distract your anxiety, you engage in excessive drinking, computer games, binge-watching TV or social media.

What to expect from therapy? 

In therapy, you can expect to: 

• explore the anxiety-provoking thought patterns and developing adaptive, realistic thought patterns which align with your life values.

• discuss to develop and implement coping skills for anxiety, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or exposures to feared negative situations.

• explore how to navigate uncomfortable realities, such as imperfection, uncertainty, feelings of incompetence, and the desire to have complete control over life, relationships, or work.

Different counseling models used for anxiety include:  

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)