Anxiety

Humans experience anxiety in different ways, and oftentimes we don’t connect what’s going on in our bodies, minds, and environments with anxiety. It may resonate as stress, burn out, confusion, dread, nervousness, or being overwhelmed or “stretched too thin.” Sometimes accompanying feelings may feel stronger, such as fear, anger, sadness, or grief. Anxiety may also involve some excitement, anticipation, and hope. 

Anxiety Symptoms, Signs, & Behaviors

How does anxiety show up for you? Perhaps in one, a few, or more of these ways: 

Avoidance:

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  • Procrastination: Putting off tasks and projects, spending more time & energy worrying about tasks than they actually take to do them. Or waiting until the last minute, telling yourself you work best under pressure. May be accompanied by fear of failure or negative self-worth.

  • Using alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs to avoid feelings or being present.

  • Withdrawing or isolating. Not engaging with other people.

  • Avoiding difficult conversations, avoiding (real, imagined, or potential) conflict

Physical signs, symptoms & behaviors of anxiety: 

  • Buzzing energy radiating your body, jittery

  • Racing, pounding, or fluttering heart

  • Short or shallow breathing

  • Tapping foot, nail biting, pacing, fidgeting

  • Irritability

  • Headaches, muscle tension

  • Sweating

  • Digestive issues

  • Rapid speech

  • Difficulty sleeping: can’t fall asleep, wake up after a few hours, feeling not rested

  • Intense “attack” experiences in which the person may feel like they’re having a heart attack or dying

 

 Anxiety Counseling can help you:

  • Experience much-needed relief from anxiety’s difficult body sensations and persistent thought patterns.

  • Explore how anxiety impacts your life - in negative and positive ways;

  • Understand the sources and triggers of your anxiety;

  • Gain awareness of how thoughts and emotions interact to build and/or lower anxieties and related feelings;

  • Learn how to channel your anxiety into a personal strength and productivity to better serve you;

  • Build coping tools to use in high anxiety moments and to prevent future anxiety increases.

You’re not alone. Let’s get started.
Take another step toward relief! Schedule a free confidential phone consultation with me to discuss how our work together can help you.

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