living with anxiety

Most of us feel some anxiety or a sense of worry at various times in our lives. In moderate amounts, anxiety might even be good for us, as we may perform better when we are a little anxious.

When worry and anxiety become chronic, excessive, and out of proportion to real world threats, these feelings can impact your ability to live the life you want to live. Chronic edginess or worry about vague or unrealized threats, or focusing on catastrophic expectations can really make life difficult and very uncomfortable.

• Do you find yourself in a state of anxiety or worry most of the time?
  
• Do you often feel on edge, restless, or irritable?
  
• Do you have difficulty concentrating or find your mind going blank?
  
• Are you having difficulty sleeping?

Sometimes these feelings can rise to the level of panic, bringing on bodily symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and tightening of the chest, simulating a heart attack.

If you suffer from anxiety, you’re not alone. Some studies show that approximately 30 to 40 percent of the US population may develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

There are certainly medications that can help, and sometimes it makes good sense to make use of them. Psychotherapy (counseling) can complement the use of medications, or can be pursued as an alternative approach, depending on your experience and situation.

In working with anxiety, we'll explore the experience you are having, and work to uncover the past experiences and assumptions that underlie it. As your awareness increases, we'll examine the choices that you are currently making and uncover the different choices that may be available to you. Over time, we'll support you as you experiment with new choices that serve you better.

Anxiety is a complex experience, and it can be addressed in different ways. The experience of anxiety can tell us a lot about ourselves. The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard wrote “anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” From this perspective, a sense of anxiety can be a useful starting point for self-exploration, and the possibility of living a richer, more meaningful life.

If you'd like to talk more about your anxiety, contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!