Travis Barker, the drummer for band Blink-182, couldn’t bring himself to fly on an airplane again after surviving a 2008 crash that killed four other people. Barker’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused him to imagine the worst whenever he saw a plane in the sky. But therapy and mental visualization exercises have helped him heal from much of his acute trauma and severe airplane phobia. Other celebrities like Ariana Grande have also suffered from serious anxiety after traumatic events. But it’s not necessary to suffer from a horrific tragedy in order to suffer the effects of anxiety. Anxiety disorders affect around 18% of America’s adult population every year. Fortunately, Thriveworks can help.
The anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Encinitas, CA are fully licensed and highly qualified to diagnose and treat a variety of anxiety and panic disorders. Our counselors use evidence-based, proven-effective therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals manage their anxious thoughts and physical symptoms.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety?
It may not be obvious at first if someone you care about has anxiety. The condition can manifest as repeated behaviors in the case of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or in avoidance practices in the case of social anxiety, but it can also be hidden away and internalized. People may suffer physical symptoms of anxiety, or it can come in the form of persistent, invasive thoughts that disrupt one’s daily life. Those thoughts might sound something like these:
- Am I sick?
- Am I going to die?
- Is my partner going to abandon me?
- Is everyone mad at me?
- Did I forget to do something (like lock the door or turn off the oven)?
- Are my loved ones okay?
- Did I do something wrong?
- Am I too anxious?
As for physical symptoms, anxiety can show up in the body in a variety of different ways. Someone suffering from a panic attack may wind up in the hospital emergency room, having trouble breathing, thinking they are dying. Or someone with long-term anxiety might develop a compromised immune system or hypertension. Here are some potential physiological indications of anxiety:
- Sleep disruptions like insomnia or nightmares
- Digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Headaches and migraines
- Memory and focus issues
- Mild and major depression
- Unintentional changes in weight
- Racing heart
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
A Thriveworks anxiety therapist in Encinitas, CA can help assess the negative effects that anxiety is having on your mind and body. A counselor may want to rule out hormonal or dietary factors (like coffee and/or alcohol) as influencing your anxiety. In addition, sometimes new medications can also cause anxiety. A licensed psychiatrist at Thriveworks can also help unravel some of these mind-body connections, and prescribe drugs to treat your anxiety if necessary.
What Are the Most Effective Anxiety Interventions at Thriveworks?
It may be comforting to know that anxiety is highly treatable, especially with professional mental health interventions at Thriveworks in Encinitas, CA. Our experienced anxiety therapists harness a wide range of tools to treat anxiety, including:
- CBT
- Psychotherapy
- Exposure therapy
- Psychiatric medication
- Meditation and deep breathing
- Biofeedback
- Art and music therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle recommendations like increased exercise and dietary changes
- Family therapy or couples counseling
- Coping strategies
It’s best to get help as early as possible because anxiety can often lead to depression–and depression can lead to anxiety. Imagine a person suffering from agoraphobia who feels too anxious to leave the house and find the social support that she needs. Eventually, she may start to feel sadness and loneliness in addition to her anxiety, due to the isolation it causes.
The anxiety counseling sessions at Thriveworks are usually covered by medical insurance, making them highly affordable. If you’re not sure if your health insurance covers anxiety therapy, call our office and we’ll help you find out. Our licensed Thriveworks therapists can also meet with you online as well as in-person. This virtual treatment option can be especially helpful for individuals who are suffering from acute symptoms that make it difficult to travel or even leave the house. An online counselor can meet with you securely via an internet connection while you’re in the comfort of your own home.
Call Thriveworks in Encinitas Today and Meet Your Anxiety Therapist Tomorrow
When you call our Thriveworks office in Encinitas today, you may be able to meet with your counselor as soon as tomorrow or the next day. Many of our initial sessions take place within 24-48 hours of booking. And you’ll rarely have to wait for your counselor. Over 97% of Thriveworks appointments begin on time or early. Another added benefit of becoming a Thriveworks client is that you can access your anxiety therapist around the clock between sessions, via email and phone. Don’t suffer alone with your anxiety for one more day. Call Thriveworks to find the expert support that you need.
