THERAPY FOR ANXIETY

Do you worry a great deal and can't seem to control it? Do you always think about the worst-case scenarios and the "What if's?” Do you panic around a lot of people?

These could be signs of anxiety. While we all get anxious at times, some people who experience anxiety have intense feelings of fear and distress which can become overwhelming. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. An estimated 40 million adults in the U.S. (18%) have an anxiety disorder." (NAMI Mental Health Conditions Facts Sheet, NAMI Website).

SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY CAN BE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL AND MIGHT INCLUDE:

PHYSICAL

  • Palpitations, pounding heart, chest pains Sweating, trembling, shaking

  • Difficulties breathing or feelings of choking

  • Nausea, abdominal distress

  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy

  • Feeling hot or cold, tingling or numbing sensations

  • Headaches, fatigue and sleep problems                   

EMOTIONAL

  • Persistent, excessive worry and/or fear

  • Feelings of distress, dread or pending doom

  • Feeling agitated or on edge

  • Uneasiness or irritability

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Catastrophizing and waiting for the worst to happen

  • Always being alert and on watch for signs of danger

BENEFITS OF THERAPY FOR ANXIETY MIGHT INCLUDE:

  •  Decreased worry

  • Reduced catastrophic and “what-if” thinking

  • Decreased panic attacks and physical symptoms

  • Improved distress tolerance

  • Decreased avoidance behaviors

  • Improved thinking patterns

  • Feeling more comfortable and confident around others

  • Improved mood

  • Better sleep

  • Increased ability to relax

  • Use of healthier coping skills

  • Improved problem-solving and decision-making skills

  • Increased assertiveness

  • Improved self-esteem/self-worth

DURING THERAPY I USE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT) TO TREAT ANXIETY. THIS INVOLVES:

  • Increasing your knowledge about anxiety

  • Learning about the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how this impacts your anxiety

  • Monitoring your thoughts, feelings and behaviors to identify patterns of distorted thinking related to your anxiety

  • Learning to challenge and change those patterns

  • Learning to focus on more realistic outcomes

  • Learning to tolerate discomfort rather than avoiding it, allowing you to begin to face your fears

  • Developing coping and problem-solving skills to manage your anxiety

  • Practicing calming and relaxing techniques to decrease your anxiety and physical symptoms