What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an alarm system — it’s the body’s way of alerting us that something’s wrong. Although the ability to experience anxiety is necessary for survival, too much of it can cause problems.

The Meaning of Anxiety

It’s important to recognize that anxiety isn’t the source of the problem. Correctly understood, it’s the first step to the solution. If you’ve been roused by an alarm, we’ll investigate the situation.

As we explore your thoughts, feelings, sensations and behaviors, we’ll discover what your anxiety is signaling. For some people, a long-standing sense of vulnerability or insecurity requires attention; in that case, our therapy will include the recovery of underused strengths and tools of self-support. For others, there may be a habitually deferred emotion, such as anger or sadness, that needs to be given adequate voice before the anxiety will loosen its grip. Since everybody has a unique history and sensitivity, the meaning of anxiety will be different for each person.

A Choice

There are other therapies (call them “emotion suppression therapies”) that silence the alarm without actually putting out the fire. This is the path of appeasement. You will feel less anxious, but also somewhat flatter and duller. You’ll also miss the opportunity to find out how to begin living in a way that’s more congruent with your deepest needs, beliefs and values.

If you’d like to choose this path of growth, then give me a call.