Stress, Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Stress is a normal part of life. We can’t avoid it. However, how we react to stress can affect our mood, health, and general functioning. When stress and anxiety from situations are viewed negatively and become chronic, we can feel awful. We might get headaches, have stomach issues, experience sore muscles, lose or gain weight, or have trouble sleeping. We may feel irritable and lash out at people.

Panic attacks which are closely related to anxiety may occur without warning. Our heart may start pounding, we may experience sweating, dizziness, or nausea, or we may feel a sense of impending doom. Panic attacks may occur from a certain situation. If a panic attack occurs more than once for us, we may find ourselves starting to avoid places such as elevators, bridges, tunnels, the subway, and the parkway. We may also avoid social events. Life may become disabling as a result of limiting our activities. If this sounds like you, we can explore the causes of your stress, anxiety, or panic attacks, and help you develop methods of coping to reduce the symptoms. 

Depression & Grief

Everybody at some time in their life will experience a normal grief reaction in response to the loss of a friend, family member, job, relationship break-up or divorce, family pet, or the news of a serious medical diagnosis. Many people had losses during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us get through a normal grief reaction by reaching out to others. However, some people may want more support.

After the holidays and “New Year”, some people go into a “slump.” Holidays can bring up feelings about family losses and conflicts. In addition, people who live in Northern climates might feel unmotivated during the winter when it is dark and cold outside.  

Some types of depression occur from a chemical imbalance in the brain.  There are certain neurotransmitters that play a role in depression and when they do not function properly, depressive symptoms might result.  

I have helped many people who are experiencing depression. Together we will explore the issue, I will teach you coping skills, and connect you to other groups for support if necessary, to achieve relief and a better life with a more hopeful outlook.