ANXIETY

A little bit of stress is healthy and normal. In fact, researchers have shown that a touch of anxiety or worry can help boost productivity, such as before a big test, exciting event, important game or presentation at school/work. Many people who feel worried or stressed from time-to-time may also find that this can be a healthy way of “checking in” with oneself. Acknowledging stress can be one of the first steps towards reducing stress, by identifying when you have too many things going on and may need to take a breather or re-examine life priorities.

For some people, anxiety has taken on a life of its own. Worry may be near-constant, and at times you may be able to tell that your thoughts become irrational or you act out in ways that later seem immature or embarrassing. You may find yourself limiting certain activities, and your life may feel constrained. Mental stress can also lead to physical stress, such as grinding teeth at night or tense shoulders and back muscles. I have experience in anxiety therapy, and together we can help you reduce your stress.

Anxiety is a feeling, but it can also influence thinking patterns, and consequently, behavior. When anxiety becomes more chronic and begins to impact a person’s life more regularly, it is known as an “anxiety disorder,” and it’s time to get some help from a professional. Anxiety disorders include OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder (when a person has panic attacks frequently or so fears having another panic attack that they begin worry excessively or avoid certain activities) and phobias.