What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns (20% of American adults), yet it can feel incredibly isolating. If you’ve ever experienced racing thoughts, a pounding heart, or just getting stuck on a particular worry—you’re not alone. Anxiety affects millions of people and comes in many forms, from inability to turn off your brain at night to chronic, life-disrupting fear.
As a licensed professional counselor, I work with individuals who face anxiety every day. Some have lived with it for years; others are just beginning to recognize it in their lives. No matter where you are on your journey, understanding what anxiety is—and what it isn’t—can be an empowering first step toward healing.
An Oversensitive Natural Response
At its core, anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived danger. It's your body’s built-in alarm system—designed to keep you safe by preparing you to fight, flee, or freeze when threatened.
The trouble starts when this alarm system gets stuck in the "on" position, sounding off even when there’s no real danger. You might find yourself feeling anxious about everyday tasks, social interactions, health, or even the anxiety itself.
Anxiety can affect your thoughts, body, and behavior. It might look like:
Excessive worry or rumination (inability to let go of a thought)
Trouble concentrating or sleeping
Muscle tension, restlessness, or fatigue
Avoidance of certain places or situations
Physical symptoms like nausea, rapid heartbeat, or dizziness
The Many Faces of Anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people live with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), characterized by chronic worry about a variety of life issues. Others may face Panic Disorder, with sudden and intense surges of fear that can feel like a heart attack. Social Anxiety, Phobias, and Health Anxiety are just a few of the other ways anxiety can manifest.
Importantly, anxiety often coexists with, and can lead to, other mental health challenges such as depression, trauma, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. That’s why a thorough, compassionate assessment is crucial for finding the right support and treatment path.
The Role of Triggers and Avoidance
Anxiety is often linked to specific triggers—situations, thoughts, or sensations that set off the worry cycle. Over time, we may start to avoid these triggers in an attempt to feel safe. Unfortunately, avoidance often makes anxiety stronger in the long run as we confirm that our trigger is scary and worth avoiding.
A core part of therapy is gently identifying and understanding these triggers while learning new ways to face them. This process builds emotional resilience and a sense of agency, helping individuals feel more in control rather than controlled by anxiety.
Healing Is Possible: Tools That Help
While anxiety can feel overwhelming, the good news is that it’s highly treatable. I support clients using
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A research-backed approach that helps reframe anxious thoughts and change behavior and thought patterns.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practices that ground you in the present moment and calm the nervous system and body so that the mind itself can calm.
Lifestyle changes: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and boundaries play a powerful role in regulating anxiety.
Support systems: Connecting with others—whether friends, family, or support groups—reminds us we’re not alone, and can provide a sense of grounding and safety even when we cannot find it within ourselves.
Therapy creates a safe space to explore these tools and find what works best for you, at your pace.
You’re Not Weak—You’re Human
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that anxiety means you’re weak, broken, or just not good enough. In truth, anxiety is a signal—sometimes it’s a sign of unresolved stress, past trauma, or emotional overload. But just like a fire alarm that goes off too often, it doesn’t mean your system is beyond repair. It means your mind and body are doing their best to protect you, even if the wiring needs some adjustment.
A Message of Hope
Anxiety may be a part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your life. With the right support, you can learn to quiet the internal noise, find calm in the chaos, and reconnect with the peace and confidence within you.
If anxiety is interfering with your daily life or well-being, please send me a message and we can work through some of the fears that are causing you distress and difficulty.
You're not alone—and help is closer than you think.