Anxiety

It can look different for everyone.

Anxiety is a type of fear usually connected to the thought of a threat, something going wrong in the future, or even from something happening in the present. We might not think we are fearful, but our bodies might be telling us something different!

Often, anxiety is undiagnosed as it can be a typical function of a family system passed down from generation to generation.

Some minimal anxiety is typical and can even feel positive in that it motivates us to finish deadlines and make decisions when needed. However, it becomes unhealthy and negative when it begins affecting your daily life.

Physical symptoms of anxiety are rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, feeling hot or sweaty, dizziness, dry mouth, and others.

The psychological impact possibilities are obsessive behaviors, racing thoughts, constant worrying, avoiding social interactions, and biting your nails, as examples.

Anxiety can occur for many reasons.

As mentioned previously, anxiety can be part of how you were raised, the way you learned to cope, and/or a genetic component. You might not have had anxiety your entire life, but a stressful or traumatic experience can also produce anxiety as a way to cope. 

Christians have anxiety, too.

While the reasons above still stand, there is another layer when we stop to look through the lens of the gospel. Anxiety can also be an indicator of our view of the gospel of Jesus becoming distorted in some way.

Scripture speaks to the reality that if we worry, we will in fact experience anxiety. Go figure! This realization can induce feelings of shame and guilt, and people begin to ask the question, “Am I even a Christian then?”

Rest in the fact that in God’s sovereignty He knew our tendencies and provided several scriptures pointing us to finding our peace and hope in Jesus. Learning to trust the Lord is no easy task, of course!

We start with re-establishing who God is. Through our childhood and world-views, the true character of God can become lost or wrongly perceived.

It is possible to only know about Him but not know Him relationally. This can lead to a blind trust or leave us feeling anxious and depressed when He does not meet our preconceived expectations. We think, “If He would just do ______, then I would trust Him and see that He is good.”

Gospel-centered therapy is beneficial to talk through these tendencies in a non-judgmental environment with someone who gets it. Often secular therapists are willing to support you in working through this topic, but might not have the same life experiences and lens that they look through to encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Fighting the battle of anxiety includes different approaches.

When heading into battle, you want as much support as possible. Traditional talk therapy helps to discover the root of your anxiety, identifying triggers, and learning coping skills. Those new skills might include different types of relaxation, new patterns of thinking, and learning healthy boundaries.

If your anxiety is debilitating, trauma related or a pervasive pattern, then I might suggest that we utilize the evidence-based therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in our sessions. You can learn more about EMDR on my website here.

Medication may also be beneficial depending on your history or symptoms. While I do not prescribe medication, I can support you in finding a doctor who can help.

You don’t have to suffer in silence.

Going to counseling when you suffer from anxiety can feel overwhelming. If you would like to ease into something new to fight this battle, please complete the form below or give me a call at (512) 599-7803.