Anxiety
Anxiety is a naturally occurring response to stressful situations, like an important work presentation or a final exam. The feelings of fear and uneasiness can motivate you to work harder and focus on the stressful situation. For most people, the anxiety diminishes as they address the problem. Anxiety becomes problematic when it doesn’t go away and begins to affect your life, including your job, school performance, or relationships. It’s essential to seek treatment for anxiety quickly, as the cycle of worry tends to become worse over time.
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Anxiety Disorders
There are various types of anxiety disorders, and the three most commonly diagnosed are:
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Persistent feelings of anxiety or worry without an identifiable reason. The term “free-floating anxiety” describes an uneasy feeling that isn’t attached to any particular situation or event.
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks are sudden, severe episodes of anxiety that can cause chest pain and the sensation of choking or being unable to breathe.
Phobias
A phobia is an extreme fear of objects or situations. The feeling of fear exceeds what is appropriate for the given situation or object and can cause one to actively avoid everyday places and things. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety, is one of the most common phobias.
Causes and Risk Factors for Anxiety Disorders
Like most mental health concerns, the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown. A person’s genetics, brain chemistry, natural stress responses, and environment are all contributing factors. Women are more frequently diagnosed with GAD and phobias, but social anxiety affects men and women equally. Naturally shy people are at a higher risk of developing social anxiety. Other risk factors include traumatic experiences in childhood or early adulthood and a family history of mental health concerns. Physical issues, like thyroid problems or arrhythmia, can also cause anxiety.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Every person can experience anxiety differently. Various anxiety disorders will feature some symptoms more prominently than others, but you can expect to have some of these symptoms regardless of the type or severity of your anxiety:
- Uncontrolled anxious or intrusive thoughts
- Being unable to sit still or relax
- Trouble sleeping or feeling unrested after a whole night of sleep
- Hyperventilating
- Sweating
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on anything other than your anxiety
- Shaking or trembling
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
Can Therapy Help Anxiety?
Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. Medication can be a helpful tool in decreasing symptoms, but it doesn’t get to the root of the anxiety. During therapy, you will learn to identify what causes your anxiety and work with your therapist to form healthy responses to these triggers. Many people see significant improvement in their anxiety within 10-12 sessions.
Thought-challenging is another helpful tactic for treating anxiety. Anxiety disorders often involve cognitive distortions or irrationally exaggerated thought patterns. Cognitive distortions include believing everyone in the store saw your trip and will think about it forever. Thought challenging helps you to realize that even the people who did notice will not think about it anymore that day. The process involves three steps:
- Identify your negative thoughts: Anxiety can make it difficult to think clearly, but it’s essential to try to remember what you were doing or feeling when the anxiety began.
- Challenge your negative thoughts: Weigh the pros and cons of worrying about or avoiding the things that cause anxiety, and consider the realistic chances that what you fear will happen.
- Replace negative thoughts with more realistic ones: This step is easier said than done because negative thought patterns become part of your everyday thinking. Your therapist can help you develop realistic thoughts or calming statements to tell yourself when feeling anxious.
The Mind Matters Difference
Our team of therapists knows that your mind matters, and we can help you harness its power so you can live a happier, more balanced life. You’re more than just a client file to us; we don’t have a cookie-cutter approach to treating anxiety. Mental health is vital for everyone, and our goal is to make treatment accessible and welcoming to anyone who needs it.
Therapy for Anxiety Near Lexington, Kentucky and Columbus, Ohio
When anxiety begins to impact daily life, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a therapist at Mind Matters. Our therapists have experience treating diverse populations and give every client the respect and compassion they deserve. Call us today at (614) 545-9773 to schedule an appointment. We offer therapy services in Lexington, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding area.