New Dimensions Counseling Services

What is Anxiety?
Have you ever felt the butterflies in your stomach before a big performance or speech
or test? That's anxiety. Put simply, anxiety is fear. Anxiety is normal. It's normal to feel
scared before a big event. Anxiety can show up as a variety of body signals: elevated
heart rate, excessive sweating, cold hands, diarrhea or those butterflies in your
stomach. It can also show up as difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and jumbled
thoughts. These symptoms are telling you that you are feeling threatened and they are
your body’s way of telling you to "get ready".

Why is anxiety called the "hidden disorder"?
Anxiety is sometimes called the "hidden disorder" because people often are ashamed
to admit that they have it and thus they don't tell anyone about it until it becomes
overwhelming. The fact is that anxiety is very treatable. It responds well to psychological
and/or medical treatment - and often quickly. The success rate is very high. The hard
part is admitting it's a problem. Once you do, your chances of fairly rapid recovery are
very good.

Does too much anxiety ever lead to depression?
Yes, it can. Anxiety and depression are very much related. If anxiety goes unchecked,
you will eventually feel overwhelmed. This can lead to an intense feeling of
helplessness, which often ends up as depression. In a sense, if your body/mind cannot
deal with all the anxiety, it will eventually "shut down" (i.e. get depressed). Often, part of
the treatment for depression is learning new ways to deal with anxiety. Once the anxiety
is under control the person feels less depressed.

Brian Oltman, Psychotherapist
MA, M. Div., LMFT #41932

Location: 2231 Camino del Rio S. Suite #308 - 92108
Mailing Address: 1286 University Avenue #568 - 92103
San Diego, CA
619/804-2914

briankoltman@gmail.com

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New Hope, New Insight, New Understanding - A New Dimension!

Please feel free to contact me with questions you may
have about the counseling services I provide by using the
confidential form below. If you are requesting an
appointment, please include the day and time it is best to
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Thank you very much!