Are you overwhelmed by frequent symptoms of anxiety? Do you experience excessive worry about your relationship, family, or health? Perhaps you avoid certain situations or activities that trigger your anxiety. If you have been to therapy before with little to no relief, I can help.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It's a natural response to stress or a perceived threat, often related to a specific situation or event. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or overwhelming, it can impact your daily life. Significant impairment in overall functioning may indicate an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent worry or fear that can significantly impair one's ability to function in various aspects of life. Common types of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and phobias.
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Feelings of danger, panic, or dread
- Nervousness, restlessness, or body trembling
- Muscle tension, tightness or pressure in chest
- Rapid breathing or hyperventilation
- Increased or heavy sweating
- Gastrointestinal issues, knot in throat or abdomen
- Difficulty with focus or concentration
- Insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Avoidance of triggering situations or activities
Treatment for Anxiety
Treatment for anxiety typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective in helping individuals manage their symptoms by identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with anxiety. Research also shows that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another helpful approach for treating anxiety by identifying negative cognitions and reducing associated levels of distress through bilateral stimulation.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, stress management, and maintaining a healthy daily routine can also improve your ability to manage anxiety.
Therapy can help you uncover the underlying cause of your worries and fears, adjust your thinking by looking at situations in a new, less frightening way, learn relaxation techniques, and develop better coping and problem-solving skills, and reduce your overall level of distress when faced with the trigger.
Help Is Available
If you are tired of being called a "worry wart," or want to stop avoiding situations that trigger your anxiety, get in touch today. My practice offers effective forms of treatment to get the relief from anxiety that you deserve.