Anxiety Rooted in Trauma
When is Anxiety Normal, and When is it Harmful?
Did you know that anxiety can be normal and even be healthy? What?! Now before you stop reading, hear me out. SOME anxiety is normal. Take, for instance, starting a new job, trying something new, or moving into a new area. We often might feel some level of anxiety, which can help us even as we move through the situation and propel us forward. HOWEVER, sometimes this tiny bit of helpful anxiety turns into a higher level of anxiety that is now debilitating, frustrating, or just plain interfering with daily life events or with us taking part in life.
Anxiety Rooted in Trauma and our Misunderstanding of What Trauma Can Be
Often, the anxiety or tension we are feeling is a learned response, a reaction rooted in trauma. I'd like to take a quick pause here and explain what I mean by trauma. When I'm talking with people, I often hear the perception of trauma being relayed as a car accident, an assault, or physical violence. These instances are definitely examples of trauma. AND there are a ton of other cases of trauma that get forgotten about. For example, a young child giving a book report presentation, seeing his peers laughing or talking over him as he stood at the front of the class can be a form of trauma. The information that the class had just gotten back from lunch and recess and were not settled to listen to their peers' book report didn't really matter. Chances are that a young child will really only remember the laughing and that his peers spoke over him, perhaps forming the message that "what I have to say is not important" "people don't take me seriously". This leads to higher anxiety the next time he has to give a presentation, and he might even look for clues that tell him his previously formed beliefs were correct. This is known as confirmation bias. These traumas impact our perception, how we see ourselves, how we see the world and the messages that play over and over in our brains.
And the Good News About Anxiety and Trauma Is?
Anxiety typically does not spring out of nowhere - and like trauma and stressful life situations, anxiety is not the result of one doing something wrong. Typically it's the result of life events that have been hurtful and damaging. The good news is there is healing. There are ways to challenge those messages and find the messages that truly resonate with the core of who you are. As an EMDR therapist, I have seen people firsthand find more authentic messages that resonate with who they are after being able to process the trauma that has been stored in an unhelpful way. If you’re looking for more information on EMDR therapy, resources or answers to your questions about how EMDR therapy works, check out these blog articles and my FAQs. I genuinely believe that everyone deserves healing and the chance to live the life they want with messages authentic to who they indeed are. You deserve this too. If you are looking for an EMDR therapist, please reach out to me today to schedule a free consultation and see if EMDR therapy may be a good fit for you.
What to Expect from EMDR Therapy in Tampa
What EMDR Therapy Is and How it Works in Groups
Hey there! I really appreciate you reading my blog, I hope it has been helpful and given you some meaningful information. Have a wonderful day!
Kandace
If you are struggling to find help with trauma or anxiety and are looking for an anxiety therapist here in Tampa or EMDR therapy here in Tampa (or virtually anywhere in Florida), schedule a free 15-minute consultation. I’d love to chat and help you get where you want to be.
You can find more information about me, what I do, as well as weekly inspirational messages on my Instagram @soulmission_therapyandyoga or on my Facebook page.
