How Stress and Responsibility Can Increase Anxiety And Why Avoidance Makes It Worse
Life demands don’t disappear as we get older — they multiply. Work responsibilities, parenting, finances, relationships, health concerns, and social obligations all stack up. For many adults, this steady pressure turns into chronic stress, excessive worry, and eventually anxiety that feels hard to escape.
As an anxiety therapist in Illinois, I frequently work with adults who say some version of:
“I feel overwhelmed all the time, and the more I try to avoid things, the worse it gets.”
They’re not wrong — and there’s a clear psychological reason why.
Stress, Worry, and Anxiety: How the Cycle Starts
Stress itself isn’t the problem. Stress is a normal response to demands and responsibilities. The issue begins when stress turns into persistent worry.
When your brain perceives too many demands at once, it starts scanning for threats:
What if I mess this up?
What if I fall behind?
What if I can’t handle this?
This ongoing mental checking activates the nervous system. Over time, worry becomes constant, and anxiety symptoms increase.
Common anxiety symptoms include:
Racing thoughts
Difficulty concentrating
Muscle tension or fatigue
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Feeling “on edge” or overwhelmed
At this point, many adults begin to avoid whatever feels stressful.
Why Avoidance Feels Helpful But Makes Anxiety Worse
Avoidance works in the short term. When you put something off or step away from a stressful situation, anxiety drops briefly. Your brain learns:
“Avoiding this made me feel better.”
Unfortunately, that relief is temporary.
Over time, avoidance:
Increases fear of the avoided task or situation
Lowers confidence in your ability to cope
Reinforces the belief that anxiety is dangerous
Expands into more areas of life
This creates the classic anxiety loop:
Stress → Worry → Anxiety → Avoidance → Temporary Relief → More Anxiety
Eventually, people start avoiding not just tasks, but emotions, conversations, responsibilities, or even relationships.
The Hidden Cost of Chronic Avoidance
Many adults with anxiety aren’t inactive — they’re exhausted from managing avoidance.
Avoidance can look like:
Procrastination at work
Putting off difficult conversations
Avoiding social situations
Overthinking instead of acting
Staying “busy” but unproductive
Emotionally checking out
Over time, avoidance often leads to:
Increased anxiety and panic symptoms
Low mood or depression
Shame and self-criticism
A shrinking sense of life satisfaction
This is when many people start searching for anxiety therapy near me or stress management therapy because willpower alone isn’t enough.
How Anxiety Therapy Helps Break the Cycle
Effective anxiety therapy doesn’t focus on eliminating stress — that’s unrealistic. Instead, therapy helps you change your relationship with stress and worry.
In evidence-based therapy (such as CBT, ACT, or ERP-informed approaches), we work on:
Understanding how anxiety functions in your brain and body
Reducing avoidance behaviors safely and gradually
Building tolerance for discomfort and uncertainty
Learning how to respond to worry without getting pulled into it
Rebuilding confidence through action, not reassurance
The goal isn’t to feel calm all the time — it’s to feel capable, even when anxiety shows up.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Anxiety Gets Worse
Many adults delay reaching out for help because:
“I should be able to handle this.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“I don’t want to be dependent on therapy.”
In reality, early support often prevents anxiety from becoming more severe or entrenched.
If stress, worry, or avoidance are interfering with your work, relationships, or sense of peace, therapy can help you regain control before anxiety starts making decisions for you.
Anxiety Therapy in Westmont, IL and Throughout Illinois
I provide anxiety therapy for adults in Westmont, IL and surrounding communities, as well as telehealth therapy across Illinois. My approach is structured, collaborative, and focused on practical tools — not endless venting or surface-level advice.
If you’re searching for:
Anxiety therapy in Illinois
A therapist for stress and anxiety
Help with worry, avoidance, or burnout
You don’t have to manage this alone.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or avoidance, therapy can help you move forward — even if you don’t feel “ready” yet.
Contact me today to schedule a consultation.
