Photography was Olivia’s* escape.
Olivia has always been creative. She could get lost in her photography projects, which brought her great joy.
She used her photography to explore concepts she tried to make sense of. As an engineering major, she loved solving problems and always seemed to have a symbolic puzzle she was trying to solve in her head.
Photography was one of Olivia’s only ways to escape her mind’s constant spiraling thoughts.
“How are my grades this term? Why didn’t my physics teacher call on me in class? I was raising my hand. Is this going to impact my participation grade? Why is that so important anyway?”
And the thoughts would go on and on.
“I will hear it from my parents if I don’t do well this term. They’re probably going to make me switch majors. I don’t want to switch majors; I already told them that. I could switch; I do have an interest in Computer Science. I wonder when the Computer Science professor has office hours so I can talk with her?”
Olivia always struggled with anxious thoughts, but they worsened. The spiraling thoughts didn’t seem to stop anymore when Olivia was asleep. The other night, Olivia’s roommate said she heard Olivia yelling in her sleep. How could she get this to stop?
And then there was the panic attack before her final in public speaking class. That was scary! Olivia couldn’t breathe, and she almost passed out. She wondered, “Is this what it feels like to have a heart attack?”
Therapy helped Olivia gain a new perspective.
When Olivia found her way to therapy, she did not understand why she was so anxious and just wanted it to stop. We began exploring her current stresses and coping strategies in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment. Olivia was very ambitious and had a lot she wanted to accomplish. She learned that many intelligent and creative people struggle with anxiety.
Through her work in therapy, Olivia started to learn her limits. Even though she could take on a lot and succeed, she now understands there are times when she has to say no and choose to take care of her physical and emotional needs first.
In therapy, Olivia learned the science behind anxiety. Once she understood, she could see a clear path to reverse her anxious responses before they became paralyzing. She learned grounding techniques to bring her back to the present moment when her thoughts would take over.
Olivia understands this learning is an ongoing process, but it’s clear that her anxiety is becoming less disruptive to her life. Having the courage to face her anxiety head-on and learn new skills to manage it made all the difference for Olivia. She now feels more in control of her life and can better address its challenges.
Like Olivia, you can seek help for anxiety.
Are you ready to take the next step to deepen your understanding of your needs?
Let’s explore the message behind your emotions to find a positive path forward for you.
Reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation.
*Olivia is not an actual client but represents a combination of client stories. This characterization is a way of maintaining privacy.