Managing Anxiety and Social Anxiety

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, showing up as racing thoughts, physical tension, avoidance of social situations, or that constant worry that something bad might happen. Whether you're dealing with general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, or anxiety that's affecting your eating or sleep, there are effective ways to manage these symptoms and reclaim your daily life.

You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone

When Anxiety Takes Over

Anxiety affects everyone differently, but you might recognize some of these experiences:

Physical signs: Racing heart, sweating, muscle tension, trouble breathing, stomach issues

Emotional overwhelm: Constant worry, fear of judgment, feeling on edge, difficulty relaxing

Social struggles: Avoiding gatherings, fear of speaking up, worrying about what others think

Daily life impact: Trouble concentrating, procrastination, sleep problems, changes in appetite

Teen Anxiety: A Unique Challenge

Anxiety in teens often looks different and can be particularly intense due to social pressures, academic stress, and developmental changes. Sometimes teen anxiety manifests as depression.

Teen anxiety might show up as:

School avoidance or performance anxiety
Social media stress and comparison
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Perfectionism and fear of failure

The Connection Between Anxiety and Eating

Anxiety and eating concerns often go hand-in-hand. When emotions feel overwhelming, food can become a way to cope - whether through restriction, overeating, or obsessive thoughts about food and body image. These patterns make sense as survival strategies, even when they're no longer serving you.

When Thoughts Won't Stop

Intrusive thoughts and obsessive worrying are common parts of anxiety. These unwanted thoughts can feel scary and out of control, leading to behaviors or mental rituals that provide temporary relief but keep the cycle going.

My Approach: Moving Through, Not Around

The path to managing anxiety isn't about avoiding what scares you - it's about learning to move through those feelings with new tools and confidence.

Together, we'll work on:

Understanding your anxiety patterns and what triggers them
Developing practical coping strategies for when symptoms arise
Gradually facing fears in a safe, supported way
Learning to calm your nervous system through breathing and grounding techniques
Challenging anxious thoughts that keep you stuck
Building confidence in social situations and daily activities

What This Looks Like in Practice

I help clients learn strategic steps to manage anxiety symptoms that get in the way of everyday life. This might mean learning how to speak up in meetings, going to social events without overwhelming dread, managing test anxiety, or breaking free from food and body image obsessions. I work at a pace that feels safe to you. At times, I will nudge, but in a gentle way that aligns with your stated goals.

Ready to Start?

If anxiety or social anxiety is limiting your life, affecting your relationships, or keeping you from being the person you want to be, therapy can help. Whether you're a teen struggling with social pressures or an adult tired of letting anxiety make decisions for you, there are evidence-based approaches that work.

You deserve to feel confident and at peace in your own life. Let's work together to get you there.

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