"Oh you're a therapist? I have anxiety!" This is a common thing I hear when I tell people that I am a therapist. The funny thing is, I often respond to people "Hey me too!" Because anxiety is a totally normative human experience. The problem comes when anxiety stops being helpful and starts getting in the way of enjoying your life to the fullest! If the idea that anxiety can actually be helpful to you sounds confusing, it's because most of us are never taught what do with anxiety when we notice it coming up (or overwhelming us).

In therapy we work towards helping you understand:

• Where you anxiety is coming from (you're not crazy!)

• How you can understand the 'volume dial' that you have at your disposal

• Seeing anxiety for the helpful emotion it wants to be

• Freedom from is paralyzing effects when it's running rampant

How to know your anxiety is no longer being 'helpful':

• Constant worry, even when nothing is wrong

• Persistent overthinking and mental “what if” loops

• Catastrophic thinking about everyday situations

• Anxiety interfering with sleep or daily functioning

• Avoiding tasks, people, or responsibilities due to fear

• Physical symptoms of anxiety (tight chest, stomach tension, restlessness)

• Difficulty relaxing, even in safe or calm environments

• Trouble concentrating due to racing thoughts

• Chronic indecision or fear of making the wrong choice

• Feeling “on edge” or constantly on alert

• Anxiety impacting work, parenting, or relationships

• Loss of confidence or trust in your own judgment

• Anxiety symptoms that feel out of proportion to the situation

Anxiety can become a pattern that feels hard to interrupt on your own. While some worry is a normal response to stress, anxiety becomes unhelpful when it starts to affect your sleep, relationships, focus, or daily functioning. Many people searching for anxiety therapy in Orlando are noticing that their anxiety feels constant, overwhelming, or difficult to manage.

Understanding when anxiety is no longer serving you is an important first step toward change. Below are common signs that anxiety may be impacting your life in a way that could benefit from support.

If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, support is available. Contact us to get started.