any of my clients suffer from anxiety. Some have a specific fear, like a fear of public speaking or a fear of flying. Others seem to be a little bit afraid of almost everything – which may be a sign of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. If you find yourself obsessing about things that worry you or make you afraid, there are things we can do to help you.
One important step is to practice. When you know what to expect, you may find that helps to reduce your fear. For example, those who are afraid of flying often find it helps to familiarize themselves with the sights and sounds of flying, so they know just what to expect at the airport and on the flight itself. Talking to friends who have flown may help. Remember, they are still here to tell you their story!
Another step is learning to self-soothe, using techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. The goal is to stop the cycle of worry, by getting your mind off fruitless regurgitation of “what if” scenarios. It may help to remind yourself that what you fear the most rarely happens. You can also use techniques like mindfulness that help you to fully experience the present moment instead of worrying about the past or the future.
I have helped clients who were experiencing panic attacks learn to use a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and self-soothing to reduce or even eliminate their panic completely. If you are experiencing anxiety, contact me – I can probably help you!
