Anxiety is a normal emotion. Without anxiety, we wouldn’t prepare for job interviews, study for tests, or move out of the way of an oncoming car. But for some, anxiety can become overwhelming and interfere with daily living. It can be distracting at work or school, harm relationships, and prevent us from doing activities we enjoy, such as travel, attend social gatherings, or eating foods we like.
When anxiety interferes with our ability to do these things and becomes maladaptive, it can be distressing, scary, and embarrassing. There can be shame about having a “silly” fear, or guilt about impacting other people’s lives, and anger about anxiety being an obstacle in living the life you want. Although it’s common to feel defeated, especially when the interference has been significant and for an extended period of time, the good news is anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are treatable.
The goal of treatment is for us to work collaboratively to help you define and achieve your individual goals, and to build a new normal that isn’t centered around anxiety, but around your life values, allowing you to live your best life.