A good way to decide if you should consult a professional counselor is to consider two factors: the intensity and the duration of your worry. If you worry intensely, much more than a group of your peers, and if you have had this tendency for an extended period of time, that it is a probably a good idea to get a professional evaluation.

A worried person needs–first of all–to be heard. Many friends make the well-intentioned mistake of jumping in too soon with reassurances and suggestions. "Why don’t you do this?" The worry person can’t make use of these suggestions until one has had the chance to come out with what is on his or her mind. The listener helps by holding the painful feelings the worried person is conveying. "Here, take my misery and hold onto it for a few minutes. Would you please?"

You speak. I listen. I take in what you say. You sense me holding your feelings. This causes you to feel relief because you feel heard, understood and supported. This process of listening, encouraging, brainstorming and teaching helps you manage your worry with skills that bring you to live a more, healthy balanced life.

A simple saying that I often use with my patients that best describes your worries is a "flat spot." I’m losing my mind has nothing to do with "memory lost" but more a feeling of helplessness. "Flat spots" occur when we hold on to past resentments, or make excuses for neglecting our health, or panic in moments of feeling overwhelmed.  What are some of your "flat spots"  that need some adjustments. I like to combine a variety of treatments that are proven anxiety and depression fighting remedies: improved sleep, aerobic exercise, bright-light exposure, social interaction, connection to positive community supports, meditation skills and replacing rumination with activity.

I welcome your calls to schedule an appointment, please call me now at (585)-586-8650.
Take good care of yourself,
Dr. Matt