Do you often feel restless, tense, or overwhelmed by constant worries about what might go wrong? Anxiety can make it difficult to focus at work or school, strain relationships, and leave you feeling emotionally and physically drained.
Key points
- Anxiety shows up differently for everyone
- It often responds well to therapy and treatment
- You can learn to identify the signs and triggers of anxiety
- Effective, evidence-based treatments are available
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What is anxiety?
Do you frequently feel uneasy, unmotivated, or stuck in cycles of overthinking? Do intrusive thoughts interrupt your day or cause you to question yourself and others’ perceptions of you? These experiences may be signs of an anxiety disorder. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable, especially with the right support.
Anne Grisham-Pleas helps clients recognize how anxiety shows up in their lives and develop practical tools for relief and resilience.
How common is anxiety?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in five adults in the United States experiences an anxiety disorder each year.
Even before COVID-19, rates of anxiety were steadily increasing—and the pandemic amplified this trend. Research from the University of Vermont’s “Hedonometer” showed the lowest levels of recorded happiness in U.S. history during that time. Although things have improved somewhat, anxiety levels remain higher than before 2020 and continue to rise.
Today’s fast-paced lifestyle contributes to this increase. Remote work, social isolation, less time spent outdoors, and the constant presence of screens have created a perfect storm for anxiety. Many people struggle to manage stress and may turn to alcohol or other unhealthy coping mechanisms for relief.
Why anxiety can persist over time
Anxiety is part of the body’s natural response to perceived danger—it helps us act quickly in threatening situations. A burst of anxiety can push us to meet a deadline, make a flight, or react to danger.
However, when anxiety triggers are ongoing or we don’t respond to them effectively, our brains can become stuck in a cycle of stress. Over time, this can lead to unhealthy coping patterns that keep us feeling anxious even when the original stressor is gone.
Through therapy, Anne Grisham-Pleas helps clients break free from these ingrained patterns and replace them with healthier, more adaptive responses.
Types of anxiety disorders
Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. Common anxiety-related conditions include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
Each form of anxiety affects daily life differently and requires a personalized treatment approach.
Common symptoms of anxiety
Your symptoms may vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you experience. Some examples include:
Social anxiety: Difficulty speaking up at work, attending social events, or even leaving the house
Generalized anxiety: Ongoing feelings of dread, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, sleep difficulties, headaches, muscle tension, or unexplained physical discomfort
Panic attacks: Sudden racing heart, sweating, shaking, chest tightness, or feeling out of control
Phobias: Intense fears of specific situations or objects (like flying, heights, or enclosed spaces) that cause you to avoid certain activities
Causes and risk factors
Anxiety often results from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. A family history of anxiety or exposure to ongoing stress or trauma can increase your risk.
Certain medical conditions—such as thyroid disorders or heart rhythm abnormalities—can also trigger or worsen anxiety. Additionally, high caffeine intake or substance use can intensify symptoms.
Anne Grisham-Pleas works closely with clients to uncover underlying contributors to anxiety, helping them understand how biology, environment, and lifestyle intersect in their unique experience.
Treatment for anxiety: Paths toward relief
Anxiety disorders generally respond very well to psychotherapy, particularly when treatment is customized to your individual needs and goals. With Anne Grisham-Pleas, therapy provides a space to explore your worries, strengthen coping skills, and restore emotional balance.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts and reactions that fuel anxiety. It’s one of the most researched and effective treatments available.
- Exposure Therapy: This CBT-based technique helps you gradually face feared situations in a safe, structured way—reducing avoidance and building confidence.
- Mindfulness Practices: Learning to stay present and grounded can reduce racing thoughts and help you respond to stress with calm awareness.
- Medication: In some cases, medication can be used alongside therapy to help stabilize mood, reduce symptoms, and improve functioning. Medication often supports therapy by making it easier to maintain healthy routines for sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
With the right combination of strategies, you can regain control, reduce anxiety’s grip on your life, and reconnect with a sense of calm and clarity.
Reach out today for anxiety treatment in Edmonds, WA
If anxiety is affecting your daily life, you don’t have to manage it alone. Anne Grisham-Pleas, MC, LMHC, SUDP, at Stillpoint Therapy Services, provides compassionate, research-based care to help you reduce anxiety and rediscover emotional balance.
Whether you’re struggling with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, or specific phobias, Anne offers personalized support using evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and EMDR. Together, you’ll work toward identifying the root causes of anxiety and creating healthier ways to cope.
Located in Edmonds, WA, Stillpoint Therapy Services offers both in-person and telehealth sessions to fit your schedule. Reach out today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward feeling calmer, more centered, and in control of your life.
More information
Anxiety Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
Henning, M., Subic-Wrana, C., Wiltink, J., & Beutel, M. (2020). Anxiety Disorders in Patients With Somatic Diseases. Psychosomatic Medicine.
Nelson, H., Cantor, A., Pappas, M., & Weeks, C. (2020). Screening for Anxiety in Adolescent and Adult Women. Annals of Internal Medicine.
What’s the difference between stress and anxiety? American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/anxiety-difference
