Psychotherapists like to describe anxiety as fear without a defined object. It is a vague yet extreme feeling that something terrible is about to happen. Worse, the incertitude behind what’s causing this fear and nervousness can increase the feeling of dread; growing emotional and physical symptoms.

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations. In some cases, however, it becomes excessive and can cause people to dread everyday situations. It could be persistent intrusive thoughts or obsessive compulsions to carry out specific behaviors.

There are two types of anxiety: diffuse or persistent anxiety associated with no particular cause or mental concern, and focused anxiety caused by a specific situation (e.g. panic attacks), or object (e.g. phobia). Therapy’s goal is to find the sources of your unease and develop ways to cope with it in your everyday life.