Rebecca has been anxious about public speaking for as long as she can remember. As a reporter, her job requires her to frequently call upon her oratory skills to communicate. It’s not necessarily that she’s a bad public speaker, but that the buildup before she’s required to talk is often hard for her to deal with. To cope, she often over-prepares and will obsess over the upcoming event while neglecting her other obligations in life outside of work.
One of her colleagues and close friends, Tony, has known about Rebecca’s social anxiety for a long time. Recently, however, he’s noticed that it’s gotten worse. After a rough workday on set, he suggested to her that she consider talking to a mental health professional about her social anxiety. One of the upsides, he posited, was that it might help her feel more comfortable and reduce her overall stress levels. Rebecca is hesitant, but she still feels like talking with a professional could really help her out.
If you feel like you’re going through the constant pangs of anxiety, just know that our providers at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK are here to help you. By teaming up with one of our mental health professionals you can reclaim your life from anxiety, and start making the first steps toward better mental health.
Do I Have Anxiety? Should I Talk to a Mental Health Professional?
Anxiety can manifest in some common ways, not limited to:
- Constantly feel stressed
- Avoiding social encounters
- Reliving traumatic experiences in dreams or flashbacks
- Racing thoughts, inability to focus on daily tasks
- Constant fatigue
- Insomnia
If you’re constantly feeling any of these symptoms, anxiety therapy or psychiatric care could benefit you. Our providers partner with everyday people to help them implement coping strategies and educate them about anxiety and the different ways that this disorder can affect our lives.
Those who seek treatment with us are generally matched with either a psychologist or a psychiatrist; while both provider types can treat and diagnose anxiety, they approach treatment in different ways. A psychiatrist is a licensed therapist who is also a medical doctor. They use this advanced, unique background to treat anxiety and other disorders with a combination of helpful prescription medication and talk or behavioral therapy. A psychologist, in comparison, can’t prescribe medication—but many clients still benefit from the progress and tools they discover from therapy sessions with our psychologists.
Different Types of Anxiety: What Kind of Anxiety do I Have?
- Panic disorder: This type of anxiety disorder causes panic attacks, which are often triggered by negative feelings associated with past events, imaginary scenarios, or current stressors. Panic attacks have been described as causing pressure or pain in the chest, followed by rapid heartbeat and tingling in the toes and fingers.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This disorder often induces irrational thought loops or impulses to perform random physical actions in repetition.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Many people associate PTSD with veterans and first responders, but PTSD can affect anyone who has had a traumatic event that they witnessed or experienced. PTSD can induce flashbacks and night terrors related to the related events
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD causes anxiety in different scenarios, whether real or imagined. This disorder can be difficult to identify because it isn’t necessarily linked to any one situation or trigger.
- Social anxiety disorder: As the name suggests, social anxiety disorder manifests as sensations of fear and extreme restlessness in social scenarios. This disorder can be induced by a fear of crowded spaces, conversations with strangers or coworkers—even family members. Sufferers often become anti-social to self-treat their condition.
Schedule a Time to Talk with a Provider at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK
While we understand that there’s still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health services, if you’re interested in seeking treatment, don’t be swayed by outdated misconceptions about mental health services. Connecting with a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist is a great and proactive way to prioritize your emotional wellbeing.
When you’re ready to schedule your first session at Thriveworks in Edmond, OK, you’ll be assisted by one of our scheduling specialists. They’re available seven days a week to help with setting up your insurance, finding a provider, or scheduling the right session time.
And when you enroll, you’ll gain access to great benefits like our:
- Flexible canceling and rescheduling
- Evening and weekend session times
- Online therapy or psychiatric services from the comfort of your home
- Our life coach Q/A chat line for the questions you might have in between sessions
Don’t let your anxiety take another day from you. If you’re ready to be paired with a provider that can help make a difference in your life, call Thriveworks in Edmond, OK to get started.