Anxiety Disorder

When worry takes over

Anxiety tends to pull your attention forward to what might go wrong, or backward to things you keep replaying. A certain amount of that is normal. The trouble starts when it never really stops.

Left alone, long-term anxiety can spill into other parts of life. It can lead to low mood, pulling away from people, and physical health problems.

How it shows up

Everyone's anxiety looks a little different. Here are some of the things people tell me about most often:

• A steady sense of worry or dread that is hard to shake.
• Feeling restless, irritable or keyed up.
• Losing focus, or getting stuck on simple decisions.
• Sudden waves of panic.
• Sleep that is off, either too little or too much.
• Body signs like tense muscles, low energy or stomach trouble.

Over time these can get in the way of work, relationships and the things you used to enjoy.

Where anxiety comes from

There is rarely one single cause. Usually it's a mix of things, such as:

• Stress and life changes. A move, a loss, a new job or a frightening event can set anxiety in motion.
• Family history. Anxiety can run in families, and some people notice it as early as childhood.
• Health problems. Living with a chronic illness or a serious physical condition can feed anxious feelings.
• Past trauma. Old experiences that were never worked through can keep the body and mind on high alert.

How I help

I tailor treatment to you. Depending on what fits, we might use:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We look at the anxious thoughts that keep the cycle going and practice testing and changing them.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. Practical tools for handling strong emotions and staying steady when stress hits.
• Mindfulness. Simple breathing and grounding practices that help quiet a racing mind.
• Medication, if needed. Some people find medication helps with severe symptoms. That is a conversation to have with your doctor, and therapy can work alongside it.

Getting started

You don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out. In therapy we look at what is driving your anxiety and build skills you can use in the moment. Most of my sessions are online by secure video, so you can meet with me from anywhere in California or Idaho. I also see clients at my office in San Fernando.