Instability, illness, change, and uncertainty can activate feelings of vulnerability. As a result, these experiences can trigger anxiety – especially when a person does not feel he or she possesses the resources to cope effectively. Feeling vulnerable is an experience no one wants to have. Unfortunately, it can often lead a person to make poor decisions which worsen the situation.
One reason people who feel vulnerable can be led to make poor decisions is that the symptoms of anxiety that are triggered cloud their better judgment and hinder their ability to employ their coping skills. These symptoms can include feelings of nervousness, tension, dread, or panic, as well as physiological symptoms such as rapid breathing, sweating, muscle twitching, weakness, and hyper-arousal or lethargy.
If you are experiencing these symptoms of anxiety, it may be a sign that you should seek help from either your trusted peers or a professional therapist. Research has repeatedly shown that therapy for anxiety is a more effective treatment method than medication alone. While medications work to treat the symptoms you are experiencing, Anxiety Management Therapy can help you understand, address, and begin to work through the underlying causes of your anxiety and worry.
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I utilize evidence-based methods which include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and clinical hypnosis to address your anxiety and assist you in working through it. During our initial consultation, I will work to gain an understanding of your anxiety, your previous attempts at resolving it, and your goals. In our sessions to follow, I will teach you how to relax, gain new perspectives, and assist you in developing effective coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills so that you can control your worries.
There is this concept that there are three types of mind. They are the heart-mind, the brain-mind, and the gut mind. Each mind has its own way of processing our experiences and notifying us about the meaning of those experiences. Ideally, we should learn how to listen to all three of our minds and give appropriate weight to the type of mind that might provide the most useful information in a particular situation.
The heart mind and the gut mind can be guiding beacons to your truest innermost feelings. However, if you suffer from persistent worrying and anxiety, equipped with the right knowledge and skills, your brain mind can provide relief. I believe that the old saying, let not your tender heart be troubled refers to the idea that your heart sometimes needs rational help from your brain. Romantics tell us to trust our hearts. And I agree that this is often the way to go. However, we must also educate our brains to guide us out of sticky situations.
If you would like to learn more about how you can cultivate all three types of mind in a balanced manner to help you tame anxiety, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation appointment by visiting us online or you can call our office today at (561) 377-1039.
Dr. Eimer is a licensed board-certified clinical psychologist and certified hypnotherapist who proudly serves patients in West Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.
