Anxiety Therapy
Does It Seem Like You Spend Most Of Your Time Worrying?
Do you avoid socializing or going on dates because you’re scared of what other people might think about you? Are you prone to ruminating on your mistakes or critiquing yourself for things that other people likely don’t remember? Have you suffered from panic attacks or frightening intrusive thoughts?
If you’re suffering from anxiety, you might turn down invitations to social events, push dating to the backburner because you fear being judged, or toss and turn at night because you’re regretting minor mishaps from your past. It seems like all of your “flaws” are magnified, and you just can’t relax. You might feel physically tense as a result of your anxiety, and you may even struggle with panic attacks that make you wonder if something is medically wrong with you.
Overthinking Can Hold You Back In Every Area Of Your Life
Maybe you’re constantly stressing over issues like your job performance or career direction, your financial security, or your relationship status. Yet your anxiety discourages you from taking positive steps to make changes in your life. Instead, you hesitate to seize new opportunities or talk yourself out of trying new things.
You often find yourself wishing that you didn’t worry and ruminate so often, and you’re frustrated every time you hesitate to take action because you’re overthinking an insignificant issue. By working with a therapist, you can figure out what’s causing your anxiety, silence the inner critic that scrutinizes your past actions, and let go of your fears around social or romantic rejection.
Millions Of People Suffer From Anxiety Disorders
When you’re living with anxiety, you might pull away from your social circle, which only deepens your feelings of isolation. If you’re spending lots of time alone because your symptoms make it hard to socialize, it can feel like you’re the only one who struggles with anxiety. However, 7 million adults live with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), while 15 million experience Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). (1)
Many different life experiences can trigger anxiety, such as living through a traumatic event. A family history of anxiety can also make someone more vulnerable to this condition. However, not everyone can pinpoint a clear cause for their anxiety, and this disorder can affect any person from any background.
For some, societal messaging can exacerbate anxiety. Perhaps you’re feeling the pressure to build a successful career, earn a high income, find a romantic partner, or maintain a large social circle if you haven’t checked all of these boxes. We are all constantly bombarded with messages about what we “should” be doing. Then there’s social media, which can make us feel like everyone else is thriving while we are struggling.
Willpower Isn’t Enough To Overcome Anxiety
Telling yourself to stop stressing out and relying solely on willpower to relax is rarely effective. This is partially because anxiety is also stored in your body. It’s not just a matter of thinking positive thoughts. Stress activates your body’s automatic fight-or-flight system, making it hard to calm down.
A therapist can provide you with a valuable new perspective on healing from anxiety. In counseling, you’ll find a safe space to share your symptoms, figure out how to identify the early warning signs of anxiety, and find healthy ways to express your emotions rather than internalizing them.
Therapy Can Help You Understand The Roots And Triggers Of Your Anxiety
Lots of people who struggle with anxiety, particularly those living with social anxiety, hesitate to seek therapy because they’re nervous about being emotionally vulnerable with a stranger. This is perfectly understandable, and in my practice, I strive to ensure that clients feel relaxed and comfortable during sessions. You do not have to open up about every detail of your anxiety right away, and we’ll move through sessions at your own pace.
What To Expect In Anxiety Counseling Sessions
Understanding what to expect during your first therapy sessions can help you feel at ease when you begin counseling. You’ll have the chance to share details about your anxiety symptoms and how they have affected your life. You’ll get to identify and reflect on your beliefs about yourself and the world around you, and we’ll discuss why you might have developed these beliefs. We’ll discuss your emotional and physical symptoms and review any patterns regarding when you experience higher or lower levels of anxiety, which can reveal your particular triggers. Together, we’ll come up with reasonable long-term goals for better managing your anxiety symptoms.
Treatment Approaches For Anxiety Therapy
Your specific anxiety treatment plan will depend on your personal goals and symptoms. You might benefit from learning mindfulness practices, such as meditation, mindful eating, grounding, and diaphragmatic breathing to help you regulate your nervous system. Mindfulness is like a muscle, and strengthening this skill allows you to stay centered in the present moment rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Over time, you’ll be able to notice distressing thoughts earlier and shift your attention away rather than fixating on them.
Additionally, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety can help you understand the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and actions. You’ll analyze the core beliefs you hold that might be fueling your anxiety, challenge untrue, unrealistic, and unhelpful thought patterns—replacing them with neutral and realistic beliefs. If you’re dealing with anxiety around dating and relationships, we may also delve into attachment theory and explore how you can shift from an anxious to a secure attachment style.
Through therapy, you can gain agency over your thought patterns and mindset, understand why certain situations and subjects trigger your symptoms, and increase your distress tolerance and self-esteem. Talking to a counselor can help you feel less alone in your experiences with anxiety while deepening your sense of compassion for yourself and for others who are also quietly struggling with this disorder.
But You May Still Have Questions About Anxiety Therapy…
I’m struggling with high levels of anxiety around dating. Could I have an anxiety disorder?
It’s very common for people to feel anxious about dating! If you only experience a distressing level of anxiety when it comes to dating, you probably do not have a clinical anxiety disorder. However, working with a therapist can still help you find relief from dating anxiety and learn to approach dating with a more relaxed mindset.
What is the difference between Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Attachment Anxiety?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, persistent worries about a number of different things, while Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) refers to intense anxiety or fears about being judged negatively in a social or public setting. On the other hand, Attachment Anxiety is a result of inconsistent or unavailable caregiving in childhood. It’s defined by an extreme fear of rejection or abandonment in close relationships or friendships.
Is medication or therapy more effective for treating anxiety?
The American Psychological Association states that both therapy and medication can be helpful treatments for anxiety. Overall, a combination of psychotropic medications and psychotherapy is generally regarded as the most effective treatment approach for anxiety. Although medications often lead to faster symptom relief, therapy tends to result in long-term healing because you’ll identify your specific triggers, learn coping skills, and release negative thought patterns.
You Can Alleviate Your Anxiety And Find Contentment Through Therapy
If you’re ready to break out of the cycle of excessive worry and build a life that is not defined by anxiety, it may be time to pursue therapy. I invite you to contact me to book a free 15-minute consultation or schedule your first session.
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