Millions of people are affected by anxiety disorders every year, yet many still find it difficult to talk about. Those who experience anxiety also sometimes struggle with feelings of shame, embarrassment, or low self-esteem. You may feel like something is “wrong” with you or that you your anxiety is something you should be able to “get over” by yourself. Tragically, these kinds of feelings delay people from getting the help they need from a trained therapist or counselor.
Anxiety doesn’t have to stand between you and the life you want to live. If you’re looking for help, the licensed professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Irving, TX are standing by. Reach out today for help.
Types of Anxiety
There are many types of anxiety disorders. One of the most common is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). While everyone feels anxiety to some degree, generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by symptoms that interfere with one’s life and persist over a long period of time. There may be a clear reason for your anxiety or you may just have a general sense that something bad will happen.
There are many other types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The former is characterized by the onset of panic attacks while the latter leads to unwanted thoughts that compel you to engage in repetitive behaviors.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Our licensed counselors have experience helping individuals with a wide range of symptoms. No two people experience anxiety in exactly the same way but some of the most common anxiety symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing thoughts
- Uncontrollable feelings of worry
- Being easily fatigued
- Restlessness
- Social anxiety
- Self-destructive or addictive behaviors
- Excessive sweating
If you’re experiencing these or other symptoms of anxiety, you may want to speak to a professional counselor or therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Irving, TX.
How Can Therapy for Anxiety Help Me?
Anxiety may feel like a terrible burden, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever. The mental health professionals at Thriveworks Counseling have helped many individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety that range from mild to severe, chronic to acute. A counselor or therapist will get to know your situation and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is one of the most common forms of talk therapy used to treat anxiety. Negative thinking patterns can feed into anxiety disorders and worsen symptoms. Verbalizing these thoughts under the guidance of a trained professional can help you identify their impact and make healthier adjustments.
Therapists also utilize dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, when treating clients with anxiety. This form of therapy teaches various sets of skills relating to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The goal is to empower you to replace harmful behaviors with more effective ones as you work through your recovery.
Exposure therapy is another common form of treatment that is typically used for clients who struggle with a specific phobia or trauma. Clients face their fears in small doses within a safe environment to gradually lower their anxiety response.
Starting Therapy for Anxiety at Thriveworks in Irving, TX
If you’ve been suffering from anxiety, taking the first step may feel difficult. At Thriveworks Counseling, we’re here to make the process as easy as possible. We offer face-to-face appointments at our Irving office as well as remote therapy options by video chat.
We also have extended hours during the week and on weekends to accommodate busy schedules. If you are ready to get started immediately, we may even be able to introduce you to a counselor within the week. Just call or click our scheduling widget to get started.
