Is Anxiety Making Your Life Feel Out Of Your Control?

Is uncertainty about the future keeping you awake at night? Do you perpetually anticipate what might go wrong and criticize yourself for perceived failures? Does it seem as though you can’t manage worries about your finances, relationships, work and health? Perhaps you feel as though life is happening to you and there’s little you can do to avoid disasters or set yourself on a more positive, productive course. It may be that you’re a senior or someone struggling with a chronic illness, and changes in your body and lifestyle are making it increasingly difficult to feel in control of your future. Does each day seem overwhelming and exhausting? Do you wish you could feel equipped to manage anxiety symptoms, find calm in moments of distress and live with greater ease?

Anxiety can crowd your mind with looping, nervous thoughts, making it difficult—or even impossible—to engage in the present or enjoy your day-to-day life. You may frequently feel on-edge and irritable, especially when you encounter an unfamiliar situation. It may be that particular people, places or experiences trigger heightened anxiety, and you now avoid activities or refuse opportunities in an attempt to stay safe and stable. In stressful situations, you may feel your heart racing or your palms sweating and feel a strong impulse to shut down and retreat. If you’ve experienced symptoms of a panic attack—such as shortness of breath, numbness or cramping in your hands or the sensation that you were dying—you may dread going through one again. Perhaps you’ve gone to the emergency room or doctor, only to be told that nothing is physically wrong with you, leading to frustration, confusion and embarrassment. You may wonder if there is anything that can bring you relief.

If You Are Struggling With Stress And Worry, You Are Not Alone

Most people deal with doubts, concerns and apprehension from time to time. Anxiety is a normal human experience, and, to an extent, it can even be helpful. For example, sometimes feeling anxious can help prompt us to meet a deadline or plan for the future. However, when symptoms of anxiety become pervasive and develop into an anxiety disorder, worries cease to be useful and start to negatively impact our careers, relationships, sense of self, physical health and overall lives. It can feel as though all of the negative things we fear could happen in the future are happening in the here and now, and we can no longer cope. Our bodies tense up, our minds race and our emotions spiral, making us feel frozen and stuck. When it seems that we’ve lost control of our lives, we can feel even more on edge and fearful, leading to a debilitating loop.

Thankfully, coping with anxiety is possible. With the help of a therapist who specializes in anxiety, you can learn effective ways to manage anxiety symptoms and gain a sense of control over your life.

Anxiety Treatment Can Help You Navigate Your Days With Greater Ease

Therapy offers you a safe, supportive place to interrupt anxious thoughts, emotions and sensations; purposefully examine challenging situations; and identify what’s happening and why. As you gain a greater awareness of the experiences that trigger anxiety and the entrenched patterns that make it difficult to cope, you can shift your perspective and feel empowered to make choices that serve you.

I believe that you are an expert in your own life. I also believe that everyone is unique and has a different experience with anxiety, which is why I will adapt my solution-focused therapy approach to best support your personality, needs, experiences and short-term and long-term goals. In safe, confidential anxiety counseling sessions, I can help you better understand how anxiety functions, including the ways it can contribute to and result from physical illness. If appropriate, we can explore how past traumas, including abuse and neglect, may be impacting your sense of security and agency today. By understanding how your past affects your present, you can resolve lingering hurts and let go of habits and coping skills that no longer serve you. And, throughout the anxiety treatment process, our priority will be identifying your strengths and developing tools that can help you manage anxiety in the present.

During anxiety therapy sessions, we can also practice relaxation and stress management techniques, including breathing exercises and meditation. If I think they could be helpful, I might also suggest support groups or other resources. As we work together, we will focus on whatever works best for you. I value your participation and input, and I will offer my insight and skills to help you discover exactly what you need to make positive life changes.

No matter what you’re struggling with, you are not alone and you can learn how to deal with anxiety and improve your overall wellbeing. I have seen just how effective anxiety counseling can be for mitigating symptoms, and know that with help, you can claim your life.

You may have questions or concerns about treatment for anxiety…

Will I have to take medication?

Whether or not you take medication is completely up to you. In many cases, a combination of medication and anxiety therapy can be the most effective form of treatment. But, there are also many effective forms of treatment that do not involve the use of medication. My role is to help you find the strategies, methods and a treatment plan that work best for you. If you wish to try medication, I can help you coordinate with a psychiatrist. The choice is yours.

I’m worried that I’ll be judged for seeking anxiety treatment.

Unless you tell someone, no one needs to know that you are attending therapy sessions. Our work together is completely confidential, and I will never judge you for anything you share with me. Also, you may be surprised to learn just how many people are seeking treatment for anxiety, depression and other issues. Self-critical thoughts and anxiety often go hand in hand, so it’s possible that you are judging yourself or anticipating negative outcomes that needn’t ever come to pass. Seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of, and learning how to cope with anxiety can help you feel more confident and capable of taking care of yourself.

I’m experiencing physical pain. Are you going to tell me my symptoms are all in my head?

Your physical symptoms are real, and I will not invalidate your pain. However, if you have already seen a doctor who ruled out a medical cause behind your symptoms, you may need another kind of treatment. Just as you would see an endocrinologist if you were seeking treatment for diabetes, it makes sense to see a mental health professional for treatment for anxiety.

In addition, chronic illness, chronic pain and anxiety often coexist. A diagnosis can cause worry and fear, and worry and fear can exacerbate physical distress. No matter what specific symptoms you are dealing with, I can help you calm your mind and body and find relief.

There Is Help And Hope

I invite you to call me at 917-765-4743 for a free phone consultation. We can discuss your concerns, and I can answer any questions you have about anxiety treatment and my practice in New York, NY.