Anxiety

Anxiety is often both a physical and emotional response to fear and the suppression of fear. Anxiety can manifest acutely in feelings of stress, nervousness, or worry in response to specific situations. Sometimes people feel overwhelmed by tasks that are required of them either at work, in relationship, or as parent, and it can feel difficult to engage socially or accomplish the things a person wants that brings them joy. Anxiety can also manifest chronically, leading to feelings or experiences of extreme fear, excessive worry, panic, or bouts of depression. People who experience regular or chronic anxiety might also experience physical symptoms such as: high blood pressure, insomnia, tension, shortness of breath, restlessness, pain, agitation, or dizziness, which can lead to severe health issues. Experiences of anxiety range from a moderate disturbance to severe debilitation.   

Underneath anxiety is buried a feeling of fear that can present as worry, anger, or sadness. A person who experiences anxiety is typically suppressing emotions, whether consciously or unconsciously, because not doing so seems overwhelming. While anxiety manifests in the body, for someone struggling with anxiety there is typically a disconnection between the mind and body. Anxiety most often arises as a result of a difficult life experience(s) or as a learned behavior. 

Man crouched on a rock, overlooking the sea, looking anxious

Common experiences that cause anxiety can include, but are not limited to:

  • Feeling afraid to say what you need or want in a relationship for fear of losing connection

  • Feeling afraid of not performing in a life role the way you want to

  • Overwhelming responsibility or stress in a job or profession

  • Parenthood

  • Major life changes

  • Changes in identity

  • Past disturbing experiences, occurring either in adulthood or childhood

  • Thoughts such as, “I don’t know what I am doing with my life”, or “I should be happy but I’m not and I don’t know why”, etc.

  • Lack of money or resources

  • Fear of terrorism, school shootings, or other community violence

  • Fear of climate change, climate crisis

  • Anticipatory events, such as medical procedures, death of a loved one suffering terminal illness, job loss, parenthood, marriage, etc.

Anxiety Therapy: What to Expect

At Evolve in Nature, we work alongside the client to achieve relief in the present moment and reduce suffering over time. This therapeutic approach is a collaborative, caring process of body-centered psychotherapy in which the client participates in feeling the sensations of their body, identifies emotions, names any attachments or associations with those emotions, and allows stored emotions to move through the body, thereby offering relief. An integrated process using several treatment therapies may include psychological education, somatic therapy, mindfulness, nature therapy, and EMDR therapy.   

 

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