Avoidance, not anxiety, may be sabotaging your life

Anxiety, for many people, is like an unwelcome houseguest — a lingering presence that causes tension, clouds the mind with endless “what ifs” and shows up as various physical sensations.

In my practice, I see many patients beaten down by anxiety. One patient said anxiety makes her heart hammer like a wild drum at the thought of public speaking. Another patient said anxiety makes him toss and turn all night, haunted by worries about his romantic future. And yet another patient said anxiety makes his stomach churn at the thought of confronting his underperforming team.