Overview of Anxiety
Anxiety is, and has been for some time, the most common mental health condition. An estimated 264 million adults battle anxiety worldwide. And, its prevalence, along with depression, has increased 25% since the start of the pandemic, according to reports from the World Health Organization. However, only a measly 36.9% of individuals impacted by anxiety receive treatment.
Living with anxiety is not only extremely difficult and frustrating, but it can also cause a variety of harmful effects on your physical, mental, and emotional health. However, no matter how mild or severe anxiety is, I want you to know that it is absolutely possible to find relief and live the peaceful life you deserve. In therapy, I will complete a biopsychosocial assessment to identify how anxiety symptoms are troubling you, before developing a comprehensive plan of action to help you overcome. I will use different evidence-based approaches to work on identifying and resolving the root of your anxiety, developing proper coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills, and working on your thought-processing.
I will provide my utmost support, care, and assistance throughout the entirety of your journey towards recovery, and will stand with you, no matter how long it takes. So, if you or a loved one are ready to overcome anxiety and achieve freedom and peace, schedule a consultation with me today!
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is defined as, “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Every individual on this earth has experienced anxiety at some point, whether it be before a monumental event or difficult test. While experiencing anxiety every so often is completely normal, as it’s your brain’s way of alerting you to potential dangers and reacting to fear and/or worry, it becomes a problem when it spirals into an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety presents itself in a variety of different ways, all of which can vary from mild to severe. The most common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
- Frequent fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Tense muscles
- Repeated panic attacks
- Heart palpitations, increased heart rate, or feeling like you’re having a heart attack
- Sweating or chills
- Shortness of breath
- Strong feelings of fear
- Shaking or trembling
- Feeling a loss of control
The Effects of Anxiety
Living with anxiety is extremely difficult, as it can tremendously hinder your daily functioning, goals, enjoyment of life, and much more. Anxiety doesn’t just harm your mental and emotional health either, but also your physical health. With all of the excessive negative feelings that anxiety brings comes increased heart rates, breathing problems, upset stomachs, increases in blood pressure, muscle aches and other pains, extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, and more. Although research is still being done on the long-term effects of anxiety, studies also show that it can cause heart problems, a lowered immune system, gastrointestinal disorders, memory problems, and frequent migraines.
Ultimately, nobody is meant to carry the weight of continuous worry on their shoulders. So, anxiety inevitably produces a long list of negative effects.
That’s why if you or a loved one struggle with anxiety, it’s time to not let it hold you back and diminish your health any longer. Getting the support and guidance you need to overcome anxiety is just a click away.
How to Overcome Anxiety
No matter how bad things may seem, you can overcome anxiety and live a peaceful and happy life!
There are a number of ways that have been proven to combat anxiety, such as:
- Avoiding alcohol
- Reducing your caffeine intake
- Regularly exercising
- Avoiding smoking
- Implementing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and yoga
- Practicing stress management
- Eating healthy
However, all of these forms of self-care are only a part of what it takes to successfully manage your anxiety. The most effective way to overcome it and start living your life to the fullest is through therapy.
Keep reading for more details on why this is.
Why Therapy is So Effective
The most recommended form of treatment for anxiety is therapy. That’s because, unlike medication or “quick-fixes” found online, it doesn’t just treat the symptoms of the problem. Anxiety therapy identifies the root causes of your worries and fears; helps you to implement strategies and adopt ideas that combat and correct those worries/fears; helps you to learn anxiety management techniques; and helps you to develop proper coping mechanisms. Overall, anxiety therapy provides a holistic plan to truly ease your anxiety, providing effective and long-lasting results.
My Treatment Strategies for Anxiety
Just like the treatment of depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with other forms of psychotherapy, have been found to be highly effective at treating anxiety, which is why they are the most widely-used by mental health therapist. These are precisely the methods I use with my clients in therapy.
As suggested in the title, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on two main things: how an individual thinks and how they behave. The first component of CBT involves identifying the negative thoughts or cognitions that contribute to the anxiety and correcting those thoughts and cognitions to be more healthy, which helps alleviate the anxiety. The second component involves examining how an individual responds in situations that trigger anxiety and developing skills and techniques to respond more appropriately.
Along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I use a variety of other methods to provide comprehensive treatment, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Ultimately, my goal is to help you identify and resolve the roots of your anxiety, as well as learn the skills needed to successfully manage all anxiety and live your life to its fullest potential.
You Deserve to Live Life At Ease. Start Therapy To Treat Anxiety Today!
Nobody is ever meant to live life restricted by anxiety. You were destined to live life to the fullest, without anything holding you back. No matter how difficult the journey is, I am here to offer my full support in helping you or a loved one successfully overcome your anxiety disorder. So, take the first steps toward enhancing your well-being by scheduling your consultation now!
