One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
Fear is our body’s way of protecting us from perceived danger. It’s our first defense against bad decisions and precarious situations. But people with anxiety often feel fear in even normal, everyday activities. This can include the fear of public speaking, crowded spaces, and conflict with loved ones.
Fear is a normal part of everyday life. But if your fear prevents you from trying new things or makes you afraid to let loved ones out of your sight, it may be time to seek therapy for your anxiety. To begin, contact us at Thriveworks in Bend, OR. We’ll work together to help reduce your anxiety.
The Types of Anxiety
Although we often use the word anxiety when discussing long-lasting feelings of anxiousness, there are actually many different types of anxiety disorders. Some of the more common types and causes are listed below.
- Panic disorders are characterized by sudden moments of severe distress, called panic attacks, which can cause physical symptoms such as chest pain, heavy breathing, and lightheadedness. Stress, illness, genetics, and other factors can contribute to panic disorders.
- Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by the fear that separation from a loved one will have devastating consequences. It’s often experienced by children attending school for the first time or young adults moving away from home. The loss of a loved one can also cause separation anxiety.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by extreme fear caused by a traumatic event you’ve either witnessed or been a part of. Though it’s often associated with soldiers at war, anyone who has experienced a traumatic event can develop PTSD.
- Phobias are the persistent fear of a particular object or situation and can include everything from a fear of heights to a fear of other people. Phobias typically develop when a person has had a negative experience with the thing they’re afraid of.
Dealing with our fears can be challenging but therapy can help alleviate your anxiety symptoms so that you can focus on the things and people that matter most to you.
Why Should I See Someone About My Anxiety?
When anxiety gets in the way of our dreams, normal growth processes, and our everyday life, it may be time to seek the help of a mental health professional.
Therapy can help alleviate your anxiety symptoms and provide order to your life. Your Thriveworks therapist, psychologist, or another provider will use a variety of tools to reduce your anxiety and help you make meaningful decisions based on your goals rather than on your fears.
To get to this step, your therapist may employ different therapeutic techniques such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which encourages you to reconsider the way you address problems and handle the unexpected.
- Interpersonal therapy, which focuses on your interactions with others and can help you resolve relationship issues that may be contributing to your anxiety.
- Exposure therapy, which exposes you to your fears in a safe, controlled environment so that your negative response to your fear or phobia decreases over time.
Book Therapy Sessions for Your Anxiety at Thriveworks in Bend, OR
People with anxiety are often hesitant to pursue professional help because they believe they ought to be able to address their issues alone. But no one ever truly does anything alone. We depend on one another to help us meet goals, fight illnesses, and live our lives to their fullest potential.
Reaching out for anxiety counseling is no different. We’re committed to offering you convenient care at Thriveworks. Our therapists, counselors, and other professionals are available online via video, and we offer weekend and evening sessions. If you’re a new client, we may even be able to see you this very week. We accept different insurance providers and our generous cancellation policy gives you plenty of time to reschedule your appointment should something come up.
Therapy for anxiety exists, and it can open up your world. Call us today at Thriveworks in Bend, OR to schedule an appointment.
