Therapy for Anxiety
Would Therapy for Anxiety be Helpful to you?
Are you noticing that anxiety is starting to impact your relationships, career, or ability to enjoy events? Does the worry, sensations of anxiety, or urge to avoid seems impossible to control? Would you describe your level of anxiety as intense and persistent? If so, it is time to get support with managing anxiety.
But, what is anxiety?
Changes in your thoughts:
You frequently worry about a variety of things such as family. your job, your health, or whether other people approve of you
You doubt yourself, your choices, and your capabilities
You struggle with feeling you have to be perfect and tend to criticize yourself often
You have trouble accepting compliments and tend to discount when others have positive opinions of you
These “cognitive symptoms” are very difficult to control, extremely convincing, and can leave you feeling down and overwhelmed.
Uncomfortable experiences in your body:
You feel exhausted, can’t eat, and have trouble focusing on things
You feel overwhelmed, nervous, and have difficulty relaxing
Your heart races, your breathing is quick or shallow, you tense up your shoulders, jaw, fists, or neck, and you experience nausea
You fear you are losing control or that you are dying when experiencing these symptoms. It can be very scary, but thankfully these symptoms are not dangerous.
Behaviors you may engage in:
You avoid events that increase anxiety despite no threat
You engage in “reassurance seeking behaviors” such has asking for approval of your decisions or frequently asking if others are upset with you
You are described as a “people pleaser,” putting other’s needs above your own
You have difficulty expressing your thoughts and needs to others and feel guilt when you set limits or say “no”
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Here, we identify connections between your thoughts, emotions, body reactions, and behaviors in order to disrupt the unhelpful cycle of anxiety.
Our thoughts are powerful. Anxiety based thoughts are often judgmental, critical, unhelpful, and yet very convincing! CBT can help bring awareness to unhelpful thinking patterns. You do not have to listen to anxiety’s critic. You will learn skills to challenge unhelpful thinking and begin new patterns of self-talk.
All emotions have a behavior associated with them that unintentially feeds the emotion. You will learn ways to combat anxiety by changing your actions and getting control of your life back.
Lastly, your body and mind are connected. Therefore, a tense body will continue to tell your brain to stay anxious. There are ways for your body to communicate that you are safe and calm so that anxiety can pass.
Exposure Therapy
Do any of the following sound familiar?
Anxiety has taken away a lot of things I used to do and even enjoy.
I avoid change because I am fearful of the outcome.
If I feel forced to do something that causes anxiety, I suffer through it and can’t actually enjoy my time.
I procrastinate when I get overwhelmed to avoid doing something that causes me distress.
I avoid social events because I feel uncomfortable and worry about others judging me.
Avoidance is the most common reaction to anxiety! It is understandable that we would avoid something that causes distress, but unfortunately this increases anxiety in the long run!
Exposure therapy is an evidenced-based treatment for anxiety when avoidance of anxiety provoking events is a concern that keeps you trapped in the anxiety cycle.
Here, we identify what you would be doing if anxiety was not present and we form a plan to get these things back in to your life! We do this slowly and work our way up. We find ways to help you self-soothe and calm your anxiety so you feel empowered and confident in managing these anxiety provoking events.
