Anxiety Disorders

Jasmine wakes up every day with a knot in her stomach. She dreads going to work and is often fearful of making a mistake that will get her fired. When she and her husband disagree, she convinces herself that he is going to have an affair, and desperately tries to placate him, scared that he will leave her. She is constantly “wound up.” Jasmine suffers from an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is a normal emotional reaction to danger which most people experience at different points in their life. Anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with a person’s daily activities, and can cross over into an anxiety disorder, depending on the severity. 40 million American adults suffer with anxiety disorders every year. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that these disorders are the most common mental illness in the US and affects women twice as much as men. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include panic attacks; irrational fears of objects, places or situations; unfounded fears of social situations; constant and persistent worry causing substantial distress, interfering with daily life, and nightmares or flashbacks from past traumatic events. Causes of anxiety disorders can range from brain chemistry, genetics, personality traits to life events.

As a Christian therapist, I work with individuals to determine the source of their anxiety. If there is a biological cause (and even when there is not), a medical referral is made. Otherwise, I help clients change their fear-based thinking by applying Biblical truths, and teaching them to be aware of specific triggers that exacerbate negative behaviors.

Please contact me - I know I can help you with this!