Alexis
Pagomenos
Psychology
Anxiety & Panic Attack
Therapy in Brisbane
Do You Feel Like Your Mind Just Won't Switch Off?
Do you find yourself constantly worrying, overthinking or preparing for things that might go wrong?
Perhaps even when everything seems okay on the outside, your mind is busy thinking about what could happen, what you need to do next, or whether you've made the right decision.
You might recognise some of these experiences:
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Spending a lot of time worrying about things that haven't happened yet, imagining different scenarios and trying to prepare for every possibility by mentally rehearsing.
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Finding it difficult to switch off, relax or be present because there's always something on your mind.
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Second-guessing yourself, overthinking decisions or constantly seeking reassurance that everything will be okay.
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Feeling tense, restless or on edge, as though something bad might happen even when there's no obvious reason to feel worried.
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Experiencing sudden waves of intense anxiety or panic, with physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness or feeling like you're losing control.
You might be someone who appears to have everything together on the outside, but internally feels like you're constantly managing worry, uncertainty and the pressure to get things right.
What Does Living with Anxiety Feel Like?
When anxiety is part of your everyday life, it can feel like your mind is always one step ahead of you. You might wake up already thinking about everything you need to do, spend your day worrying about work, relationships, your health or the future, and then struggle to switch off when it's time to relax.
Even when there's nothing particularly stressful happening, you might find yourself anticipating problems, analysing situations or looking for reassurance that everything is okay. You might put off decisions because you're worried about making the wrong choice or avoid certain experiences because of how anxious they make you feel.
Sometimes anxiety can build into a panic attack, leaving you feeling overwhelmed by intense physical sensations and worried about when it might happen again. It can be exhausting feeling like you can't fully relax or enjoy the present because your mind is constantly preparing for the next thing that might go wrong.
You're Not Alone in This
Anxiety is a common experience, but that doesn't mean it's easy to live with.
When you're constantly worrying or feeling on edge, it can be difficult for others to understand just how much energy it takes to get through an ordinary day.
You might even feel frustrated with yourself, wondering why you can't just relax, stop worrying or let things go.
But anxiety isn't something you can simply switch off by telling yourself not to worry.
You don't have to keep living with your mind constantly in overdrive.
Feeling Less Controlled by Anxiety Is Possible
When you've experienced anxiety for a long time, worrying can start to feel like an automatic response. You might believe that thinking through every possible outcome helps you stay prepared, avoid mistakes or prevent something bad from happening.
The problem is that trying to control uncertainty by constantly worrying can actually keep anxiety going. You might find yourself seeking reassurance, avoiding situations that make you uncomfortable or spending hours analysing things in your mind. While these strategies might provide temporary relief, they often make it harder to learn that you can manage uncertainty and cope when things don't go to plan (anxiety always underestimates your ability to cope).
The good news is that you can learn to respond differently to anxiety.
I work with young adults in their 20's and 30's who want to spend less time worrying, feel more comfortable with uncertainty and stop letting anxiety dictate how they live their lives.
I understand how anxiety can affect the way people think, feel and behave, and how frustrating it can be to feel stuck in unhelpful patterns.
Therapy can help you understand what's keeping you stuck, develop different ways of responding to anxious thoughts and feelings, and gradually build confidence in your ability to manage situations that currently feel overwhelming.
The goal isn't to never feel anxious again. It's to feel less controlled by anxiety, spend less time caught up in worrying and have more freedom to focus on the things that matter to you.
What Will Therapy for Anxiety look like?
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you're already worrying about getting things right.
My aim is to create a space where we can normalise our worries, our fears, our avoidance or unhelpful behaviours without any judgement or blame.
So that you can understand what is keeping you stuck, and use evidence-based strategies and professional support to help you work to change it.
In our first session, we'll spend time understanding what brings you to therapy, how anxiety affects your life and what you'd like to be different. There's no expectation that you need to explain everything perfectly. We'll work it out together.
We'll explore the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that contribute to your anxiety. This might include overthinking, seeking reassurance, avoiding uncomfortable situations, trying to control uncertainty or constantly preparing for things that might go wrong.
We'll work on practical strategies to help you change your relationship with anxious thoughts and feelings, rather than constantly trying to control or get rid of them.
If you experience panic attacks, we'll also work on understanding what's happening in your body, making sense of the physical sensations of panic and developing confidence in your ability to manage them.
Progress looks different for everyone. It might mean making decisions without spending hours worrying about them, being able to relax without feeling guilty, managing uncertainty without seeking constant reassurance or experiencing anxious feelings without feeling like you need to escape.
I work to tailor therapy to your experiences, needs and goals. We'll work at a pace that feels manageable while helping you move towards a life that isn't dictated by anxiety.
You May Have Some Concerns. That's Okay.
What if I can't stop worrying, even when I know my worries aren't realistic?
That's okay. Understanding that a worry might be unrealistic doesn't necessarily make it go away. Therapy isn't about simply telling yourself not to worry. We'll explore why your mind gets caught up in worry and help you develop different ways of responding to anxious thoughts, so you can know when worrying is helpful and when it might be unhelpful.
What if I'm worried about having a panic attack during therapy?
It's understandable to feel concerned about experiencing panic, particularly if you've had frightening experiences with it before. You won't be expected to do anything you're not ready for. We can work together to understand your panic symptoms and gradually build your confidence in managing them. If you experience a panic attack in session, I can help you to cope and regulate your emotions until the anxiety subsides.
What if I've always been an anxious person?
You might feel like worrying is just part of your personality, particularly if you've experienced anxiety for years. However, the way you respond to anxiety can change. You can learn to spend less time caught up in worry, stay more present, become more comfortable with uncertainty, and approach situations differently.
Do I have to commit to ongoing therapy after reaching out?
Not at all! There's absolutely no pressure to book a session afterwards. Reaching out to our reception team is simply an opportunity for you to see whether we might be a good fit, and for you to understand how therapy could help.
How do I take the next step?
If you're tired of constantly worrying, overthinking or feeling like your mind never gets a break, you don't have to keep trying to manage everything on your own.
You don't need to wait until things become overwhelming to reach out. I'd love to hear about what you've been experiencing and talk with you about what working together might look like.
Contact us today. There's no pressure or obligation to book a therapy session afterwards.
Get In Touch
Ready to take the next step? I am ready when you are.
Contact Information
I work as part of the team at My Psych Clinic, in Eight Mile Plains.
Get in touch with our friendly reception team to book a session or answer any questions.
Level 1 Building 10/107 Miles Platting Rd, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113
Please note that I am unable to respond to emergency or crisis situations. If you, or someone else, requires immediate emergency support, please contact emergency services on 000, Lifeline (24 hr service) on 13 11 14, Mental Health Access Line (24 hr service) on 1300 64 22 55, 13YARN - 13 92 76, or visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
