Anxiety
Any of these thoughts sound familiar? “ I’m constantly worrying”, “I’m worried I’m going crazy”, “My chest is tight, I’m worried I’m having a heart attack”, “People are judging me” or “I have a stomach ache”.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to danger. When we anticipate something bad happening, our brain perceives a threat in our internal or external world. This happens when we are in danger, we feel under pressure, when we face difficult life situations, during a job interview or even during an exam.
Anxiety is known as fear of fear. When you get anxious, did you know that you are activating your body’s survival response? This is called Flight-Fight-Freeze!
How to help your anxiety
Did you know, that approximately 25% of the population will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives (anxietycanada.com). You are not alone! There are specific tools and techniques available to help calm your nervous system. I call this your “emotional tool kit”.
There is something empowering about understanding why your anxiety is happening. You will become much more aware of your own nervous system and how to feel more in control. You can learn how to run your emotions and not let them run you.
Tools and techniques are great but it is equally important to explore the roots of where your anxiety stems from. There is power in understanding the root cause as to why your anxiety is happening.
Believe it or not, your anxiety is there for a reason and it is actually sending you an important message. Our work together in therapy can help us to understand what that message is and how to use these feelings to your advantage.
Depression
Everyone experiences low moods throughout their life. They are a normal part of human emotions. However, if you notice that your low mood persists, find yourself with a lack of motivation, can’t function optimally at work, school or even in your relationships, it is be beneficial to seek out help.
Many people often suffer in silence. Mental illness still has a certain stigma and we can become our own worse critic. There can be a root cause for your depression.
How to Help your Depression
Therapy can help examine what you are already doing to support yourself even though you may not be aware of it. Furthermore, we will explore new “tools” to add to your “emotional coping toolbox”. Therapy will also help you understand the root cause of your depression in order to begin the healing process.