Think back to your first job interview or your first date. Or that near miss on the highway that caused you to pull over and catch your breath. These are all situations that can cause some pretty intense anxiety.
Anxiety is a common emotion that can be triggered by a lot of things. In some instances, it can be a necessary survival mechanism that activates in an emergency. In others, it can push you to do your best while under pressure at work or during a competition.
However, this kind of anxiety differs from the kind felt during an anxiety disorder, which takes these feelings to the next level. People with anxiety may suffer from catastrophizing thoughts, endless rumination, or even panic attacks. Oftentimes, people struggling with severe anxiety go all day with knots in their stomachs, sometimes for no reason at all. It can be constant and debilitating.
If you’re suffering from anxiety or depression, you may think there’s something wrong with you. Or perhaps you feel too ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. But this is one of the great tragedies of mental health disorders — people don’t ask for help even though these mental illnesses are highly treatable.
There are many different types of therapy available to help you bring a sense of stability, serenity, and fulfillment back into your life. If anxiety symptoms are interfering with your ability to live your life as you please, it may be time to speak to a licensed professional.
Experienced mental health counselors and therapists are available to support you at Thriveworks Counseling in Fayetteville, AR.
What Are Common Anxiety Symptoms?
While everyone may experience anxiety in different ways, there are many commonly experienced symptoms, including:
- Persistent feelings of unease
- Panic attacks
- Social anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Headaches
- Agitation and irritability
- Uncontrollable worry
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Restlessness
The symptoms you experience may also differ depending on the type of anxiety disorder you may be experiencing. For example, one of the most common types of anxiety is called generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. This involves persistent worrying over a long period of time, often about a wide variety of events or circumstances.
People with GAD might avoid leaving home due to a general feeling that something bad will happen. Some may experience these symptoms chronically while others may experience them from time to time.
Panic disorder is a different type of anxiety and is experienced in the form of intense episodes called panic attacks. This can be a frightening experience for many clients, who often feel like they’re losing control or are about to have a heart attack.
If you’re suffering from anxiety symptoms and want to speak to a licensed mental health counselor, make an appointment today with us at Thriveworks Counseling in Fayetteville, AR.
Getting Help: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
Just because you’re suffering from anxiety now doesn’t mean you can’t overcome your symptoms. Counseling and therapy services are highly effective and have helped countless people like you live happy and fulfilling lives.
Anxiety may be caused by a number of factors, including biological, physical, and environmental issues. Your mental health provider will determine the best course of action for your needs, which may include medication or other treatment options like talk therapy.
To guide you through talk therapy, therapists create a safe and confidential environment for you to speak openly about your emotions, fears, and everyday thoughts. You may learn how to adjust your thoughts to reduce your anxiety as well as the coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques to employ when you are experiencing symptoms in the future. Some of the most common forms of therapy used to treat anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure therapy.
If you’ve been feeling anxious and don’t know where to turn, qualified therapists are standing by at Thriveworks Counseling in Fayetteville, AR.
Talk With a Therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Fayetteville, AR
Taking care of your mental health can be intimidating, especially if you’re already suffering from anxiety. That’s why we strive to take the stress out of obtaining mental health services at Thriveworks Counseling. Clients can schedule same-day or next-day appointments during the week, in the evenings, and even on weekends. Clients can also benefit from our virtual therapy options via phone or video chat if that is more convenient than in-person therapy.
We offer clients many exclusive benefits at Thriveworks Counseling. A few examples include:
- Access to a mental health professional between appointments by email or phone
- 24-hour Q&A with a life improvement coach
- Community discussion boards
- Simple app-based billing and scheduling
- Exclusive video content
You don’t have to let anxiety stop you from achieving your goals. Visit us at Thriveworks in Fayetteville, AR to speak to a licensed mental health professional at your earliest convenience.