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.
Everybody experiences anxious thoughts sometimes. We might feel anxious about a job interview; we might worry about making it to work on time; we might have anxious thoughts and feelings about a serious talk that we plan on having with our partner. However, sometimes the anxious thoughts and feelings are more severe than this normal and occasional anxiety.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions out there. Globally, there are hundreds of millions (300 million to be exact) of people with an anxiety disorder. This is a startling statistic, but if you think that you might have anxiety, it can offer comfort in the fact that you are not alone. These people manage and go on to live happily, and so can you.
If you have an anxiety disorder, or you are experiencing symptoms, consider talking to an anxiety therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Towson, MD. We can offer anxiety therapy and other effective treatments for anxiety disorder. We’ll work with you to figure out what you need and then work to fulfill those needs. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Do I Have an Anxiety Disorder? OCD, Social Phobia, PTSD, and Others
Are you feeling anxious? Do you experience anxiety in a variety of scenarios? Or, do your anxious thoughts and feelings come about in specific scenarios? These questions can help you pinpoint what type of anxiety you might have, as there are a variety of anxiety disorders, of which include:
- Generalized anxiety: This is the kind of anxiety that people experience in a wide range of scenarios and for no real rhyme or reason. In a nutshell, this is ongoing anxiety that interferes with day to day functioning.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder: This is another form of anxiety. OCD comes with obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsions. Many OCD sufferers have a fear of germs or feel an urge to organize things in a certain way.
- Social anxiety or phobia: Social anxiety disorder (sometimes called social phobia) is characterized by anxiety that comes about in social interactions. Some people feel anxious in specific social situations, such as those that involve public speaking or being the center of attention.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD can follow traumatic experiences, especially when someone doesn’t properly confront their trauma. Symptoms (on top of anxiety), include irritability, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and so on.
As one can imagine, these disorders can really hinder an individual and harm their overall wellbeing. You might even know this from firsthand experience if you’re on this page. It’s important that anyone experiencing anxiety garners the help and support they need to manage it. Thriveworks Counseling in Towson, MD can set you up with that personalized help.
How Does Treatment for Anxiety Work?
Your anxiety does not have to go untreated. There are effective treatment methods out there, of which include therapy, medication, and self-care, too! Let’s delve into each below:
- Therapy for anxiety often involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. This approach to therapy focuses on helping an individual understand their negative thinking patterns and how these patterns can affect their anxiety as well as their overall health.
- Anxiety medication can help you manage your anxiety, too. Common anxiety medications include antidepressants.
- Self-care is always important and should be a priority in your life. When it comes to anxiety, journaling, exercising, breathing techniques, and other practices can prove particularly helpful.
Everybody’s different. This means that one form of treatment might be right for one individual but not another. The anxiety therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Towson, MD will help you determine what type of treatment you need.
Schedule an Appointment for Anxiety Help at Thriveworks Counseling in Towson, MD
Thriveworks Counseling in Towson, MD can help you now. Our counselors have evening and weekend availability; offer same- and next-day sessions; can help you in an online environment; and provide you with additional benefits, too.
To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, just contact our office. We’re here for you.
