Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: Busting 9 Myths About Anxiety

Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: Busting 9 Myths About Anxiety

You can’t stop worrying and you hate it. You just want to be normal and you wonder “why can’t I just be calm?” You’re thinking life is not that bad, but “why can’t I deal with my stress better?” It feels so awful to be so worried all the time. You can’t sleep, you can’t make decisions, and you worry if you make a decision, you’ll make the wrong one. You can’t stand this and it can’t go on. It feels so awful in your body because you’re so on edge, you can’t relax or enjoy things. And you just want it to go away.

Could this be anxiety?

I’m a San Francisco psychologist specializing in anxiety therapy, and in this blog post, I’m going to address some of the common myths about anxiety and bust those myths with facts to help you understand more about what anxiety is.

Anxiety has become such a buzzword these days but you may be wondering, “what is the difference between normal worries and anxiety?” As it is, doesn’t everyone have some worries?

Anxiety among ambitious working professionals in San Francisco is a prevalent and often hidden issue. The competitive nature of the city, long work hours, demanding expectations, and a constant drive for success create a pressure-cooker environment that can take a toll on mental well-being. It is crucial to understand facts from myths when it comes to anxiety, so that you can seek support and prioritize self-care practices to maintain a healthy work-life balance in the midst of your ambitious pursuits.

Let’s address and debunk some of the biggest myths surrounding anxiety:

Myth #1: Anxiety isn’t a real illness.

Although there isn’t a medical test you can take to see if you have anxiety, all of your worries and the physical consequences that go with them are very real.  If your worries are negatively impacting your life, you can get therapy for anxiety and take steps to treat it.

Myth #2. You can pass out when having a panic attack.

A panic attack won't cause you to pass out. Fainting usually occurs when there is a drop in blood pressure. The opposite occurs when you experience a panic attack because the heart rate and blood pressure increase during a panic attack.

Myth #3. You should avoid stressful situations if you suffer from anxiety.

The issue with this is that it is almost impossible to avoid stressful situations. Life is full of stressful, and often unexpected, situations that you simply cannot avoid. Trying to avoid situations that cause stress can actually make anxiety worse! However, with anxiety therapy, you can learn coping mechanisms that can help you to deal effectively with these situations.

Myth #4. Some people just worry and cannot be treated.

While there are some people who worry more than other people, there are plenty of treatment options available for different degrees of anxiety, and different types of anxiety.

Myth #5. Anxiety disorders are rare.

It may feel like you are the only person that suffers from such worries. However, it is becoming more and more known that many people struggle with significant worries and anxiety. Many people feel that they are alone with their struggle, and without getting anxiety treatment and using the tools to cope with anxiety, they will continue feeling alone, which can make anxiety worse.

Myth #6. My anxiety will get better on its own.

Many people put off seeking anxiety treatment because they are able to manage going about their daily lives without too much of a problem. Yet, over time, anxiety problems, can get worse. It’s important to get anxiety treatment and learn coping mechanisms - the sooner, the better, because you don’t have to suffer.

Myth #7. I only need a little drink to get through this.

Some people choose to self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis to get themselves through stressful situations. While this may work in the short term, over time, this can lead to a dependency or addiction, meanwhile, anxiety will continue. Additionally, there are health risks associated with drinking or using recreational drugs to cope that could add to the list of problems.

Myth #8. Anxiety treatment will take forever.

There are many anxiety treatment approaches available and in starting to incorporate some of the tools, you may start to feel a difference within just a few sessions. Anxiety treatment will teach you some tools you can use on your own so that you can finally feel more in control of how you feel. With continued anxiety therapy, you will learn how to better hand anxiety for longer lasting benefits.

Myth #9. You can overcome anxiety overnight if you want to.

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “just get over it,” when it comes to dealing with your anxiety, then they likely don’t really understand how much anxiety can be difficult and debilitating. Feeling unsupported can lead a person to avoid dealing with their anxiety and resort to suffering in silence. If you have anxiety, it is better to seek treatment to help overcome the ways anxiety is affecting you and your life.

Don’t let these myths about anxiety stop you from seeking anxiety therapy. There is hope for feeling better.

Anxiety can be a serious condition if left untreated and can prevent you from pursuing your goals and living a fulfilled life. You don’t have to compromise your ambitious pursuits. Recognizing the significance of dealing with anxiety and prioritizing mental health support can help you navigate work, relationships, career and life, with greater resilience and balance.

As a psychologist providing anxiety therapy in San Francisco, I understand that your worries are real and can feel debilitating. You don’t have to suffer in silence, hoping that your worries will just go away. I have hope that there are things you can do to alleviate your struggles! That’s why I provide anxiety therapy in person in San Francisco and online in California. There are many strategies and tools that you can learn that can make all the difference, and I can show you techniques that can help you.

FREE consultation call for anxiety therapy, San Francisco, California

I hope this blog post helped clear up some of the myths you might have had about anxiety, and helped you see how anxiety therapy can help. As a psychologist in San Francisco, I help working professionals dealing with worries, stress, and anxiety. If you are ready to get help for your worries and anxiety, reach out to me and let’s talk about how I might be able to help. You can contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see how anxiety therapy in San Francisco can help you.

Specialties include therapy for depression, anxiety, work stress, relationships, and life changes. Social Anxiety Therapy.

In Case You Missed It! Additional Blog Posts in this series:

Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: 9 Tips For Building Confidence In The Workplace

Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: 8 Self-Care Tips For Go-Getters To Reach Their Goals

Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: 9 Tips For Managing Anxiety In The Bay Area Professional Scene

Anxiety Therapy San Francisco 101: Journaling Tips To Soothe Anxiety