Counseling for Anxiety

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), fear and anxiety share many of the same features and create many of the same effects, but the primary difference is that fear is a response to real or perceived danger in the present while anxiety is the anticipation of imagined danger in the future, which may not even occur. Nonetheless, the human brain responds to anticipatory fear of future danger the same as imminent danger in the here and now, often causing sudden and unexpected physical changes to include increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, headache, rapid breathing, muscle tightness and tension, erratic behavior as well as many other unwanted physical symptoms.

For people whose anxiety escalates to panic, it can feel as though death itself is just around the corner, and although the dreaded hazard is not likely to occur, the individual can experience this harmful psychosomatic fear response again and again and again. This not only impacts the nervous system, but also has a negative bearing on the immune system, the muscular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, and even the reproductive system. Not to mention that it eats away at the joy and freedom that are our birthright as followers of Jesus Christ.

At present, numerous research studies estimate that as high as 1/3 of the population in the United States is negatively impacted by chronic worry, anxiety, and fear, and sadly, the body of Christ is no exception. Yet, scripture’s guidance on the matter is to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6a, NASB 1995). The Greek word used for “be anxious” is merimnáō (μεριμνάω), which literally means to be divided, to be distracted, or to be pulled apart in opposite directions. Anxiety then stands in direct opposition to God’s command to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength… and not simply with the leftover pieces.

Proverbs 24:6 (NASB 1995) “by wise guidance you will wage war, and in the abundance of counselors there is victory,” and at Fortify Christian Counseling, LLC we believe it is time to declare war on anxiety and take back what the enemy worked so long to steal. If you want help waging war against anxiety then please reach out and set up an appointment.