Does the thought of public speaking make your stomach drop?
Or maybe the idea of stepping on a plane gets your heart racing?
These physical sensations occur when our threat response system is activated-essentially, when we are afraid!
Fear is a completely normal part of the human experience. In fact, it is an incredibly intelligent and protective mechanism that allows us to be alert and navigate danger. Sometimes however, our fear response can become activated even when there is no immediate danger, more commonly called anxiety.
Anxiety is a response to a perceived threat, which is why you might experience rapid breathing, increased heart rate, upset stomach, or restlessness when facing things like being in large crowds, making a mistake, or even telling someone how you feel.
Because these experiences can be so distressing, we find ways to protect ourselves by avoiding situations that might cause anxiety. Elevated and chronic levels of anxiety can create distress and limit our ability to do the things that are important to us.
The good news is that there are effective evidence-based practices to reduce the distress that we might get from uncomfortable situations and get back to living!
In this month’s library talk, we will be discussing the principles of Exposure and Response Prevention, a type of therapy that can help you to move through your fears in a gradual and achievable way.
If you have noticed there is something in your life that you want to be able to do, but the fear gets in the way, this is the talk for you!
Note: If you are experiencing elevated or ongoing symptoms of anxiety, this may be an indication that you would benefit from further discussion with your doctor. Our clinic offers support for depression, anxiety and skills to navigate life’s challenges.
Interested in learning more?
Join Tara, BFHT Psychotherapist, in collaboration with the Burlington Public Library for a talk on Wednesday, May 8th at 1:30pm at the Tansley Woods Branch.
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