Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Many people worry about things such as health, money, school, job, or family/relationship problems. Although occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For individuals with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not seem to go away even after the problems of concern are gone, and can get worse over time. 

According to the data from the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults and 31.9% of U.S. adolescents experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives (source: NIMH » Any Anxiety Disorder). For children, the rate has been continuously increasing, especially after the pandemic (source: Five-Year Trends in US Children’s Health and Well-being, 2016-2020 | Anxiety Disorders | JAMA Pediatrics).  

Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat (source: Anxiety). 

People with anxiety often report to have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns and their ability to manage the thoughts' volume, intensity, and/or frequency can be significantly challenged (e.g., aka “racing thoughts/mind” or “I can’t shut my mind off.”) They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat. These difficulties frequently lead people to experience many difficulties such as avoiding certain situations or tasks out of worry, sleep difficulties, decreased job/school performance, and low satisfaction with relationships. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobia-related disorders. There are also several treatment options available (read more: NIMH » Anxiety Disorders.)  

I specialize in treating anxiety problems with a number of successful treatment experiences. I utilize various techniques from evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-based Intervention. I take a holistic approach to address anxiety problems and other relevant issues by taking a close look at how one experiences anxiety, its impact on their functioning (overall physical and mental health, social and occupational functioning), and various factors that contribute to the problem. I provide interventions that are appropriately tailored to your unique situations and make recommendations that can effectively address your needs.  

To learn more about and discuss your problems with anxiety, please schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me.