Would you describe yourself as a worrier? Do you often feel overwhelmed and anxious? If allowed to continue unchecked, anxiety can become worse over time and begin to interfere with your quality of life. Anxiety can place a strain on romantic and family relationships. It can cause you to have difficulty sleeping and making decisions. Therapy for anxiety can help reduce these symptoms and bring you to a place of healthy balance.
It is important to understand that being overly anxious and fearful is not a personality trait you have to live with forever. Many people who struggle with worry think that this is “how they are.” Even as children they experienced themselves as overly sensitive “worriers.” But anxiety is a treatable disorder and can be helped by therapy. Unfortunately, many people wait for years before they seek treatment.
Facts and statistics
In the United States, anxiety is the most common disorder as it affects around 40 million adults.
There are different subtypes of anxiety depending on the focus and characteristics. Anxiety disorders can manifest as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder.
It is important to note that all types of anxiety disorders are treatable.
Women are twice as likely to be affected by any type of anxiety disorder compared to men. However, men, women, and children can experience chronic anxiety.
The development of anxiety can result due to a variety of factors. A combination of genetic influences, environment, personality, neurological chemistry, and/or difficult life events can all contribute. Additionally, early trauma and other aversive childhood circumstances can result in the development of anxiety. We learn how to cope with our fears from the adults we had in our lives while growing up. If we had parents who were often anxious, we likely did not learn coping skills from them. If our caregivers were not anxious but instead were abusive or neglectful, again, we would not have learned that the world is safe and we have nothing to fear. As a result, when we reach adulthood, our bodies and our minds are accustomed to being anxious, and it is difficult to overcome the pattern without help and support.
How much anxiety is normal?
Anxiety is a normal emotion that is meant to keep us safe. Our ancestors survived largely because anxiety kept them from taking unnecessary risks that could have gotten them killed or injured.
Further, for many of us, anxiety is the emotion that can spur us to do difficult but important things in our lives. For example, if we are anxious, we might spend extra time studying for a difficult test because we are afraid we won’t do well. We may be more careful with our physical safety because of anxiety. Anxiety can make us drive with caution. It can cause us to avoid walking down a dark street. Anxiety, in appropriate amounts, is a healthy emotion that is meant to keep us safe.
However, when anxiety begins to interfere with our functioning to the point that we know there is something wrong, it is wise to seek help. Too much unnecessary anxiety can cause us to lose sleep most nights, fret too much when our loved one is traveling, or avoid social situations because being around other people makes us nervous. When anxiety interferes with our ability to enjoy life, it loses its adaptive value and becomes a liability.
What you get in therapy
The first step in therapy is to get your symptoms under control. Once we do this we can work to go deeper and find the true source of your anxiety.
All therapy is personalized and based on your specific circumstances and goals. Sometimes therapy can uncover deeper issues such as childhood trauma. Whatever it is you are struggling with, through supportive connection and evidence-based practices we can help you manage your fears and worries.
Taking steps to control your anxiety can help you build on the strengths you already have but lie hidden. As you become stronger, you can gain confidence and trust in your own ability to handle all of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
Penny Justus, LMSW, is a psychotherapist and life coach providing therapy for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, online, and on the phone. If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to call and book an appointment or fill out the contact form and click Send.