Anxiety symptoms can stem from a number of places. Some people experience anxiety after going through a traumatic event. Others begin noticing increased feelings of anxiety in combination with other mental health conditions or chronic medical conditions. In either case, no matter what triggers your anxiety symptoms, it has the power to disrupt you from living the life you want to lead.
Anxiety is more than just feeling anxious from time to time or experiencing worry in the days leading up to a nerve-wracking event. It’s constantly being bombarded by thoughts of worst-case scenarios and playing them out to their extremes. It can hinder your ability to make decisions about where you go, who you want to see, and what you want to do.
These extreme “what ifs” can often feel like the most solid of certainties. As a result, it can mean not pursuing opportunities and staying shut away inside. This keeps you away from other people and could result in you blaming yourself for the thoughts and feelings that are outside of your control.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Thriveworks in Grand Prairie, TX, working with a licensed mental health professional can help you overcome your anxiety. Our psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and counselors are here to provide you with the compassionate care you need when you need it. Are you ready to take the next step with therapy for your anxiety? Call our office today to set up your first appointment.
The Most Common Symptoms of Anxiety
As mentioned above, an anxiety disorder is different from everyday anxious feelings people experience during situations of heightened stress. Anxiety disorders are characterized by symptoms that are more pervasive, which can include common feelings such as:
- Nervousness and tension
- A sense of impending doom
- A rapid heart rate or difficulty breathing
- Weakness and exhaustion
- Muscle and body aches
- Difficulty falling and staying asleep
- Trouble focusing
- Problems controlling worries
- Avoidance of anxiety-causing situations
Most of the time, these symptoms can appear regardless of the situation someone is experiencing. In cases where certain situations trigger symptoms, the anxiety felt is not proportional to the actual situation.
For instance, it is typical to feel nervous and worry about how you perform during a work presentation. People with anxiety, however, would think about the presentation constantly. This would likely cause them to over-prepare or try to get out of the presentation altogether because they’ve convinced themselves it would go poorly and they could lose their job.
When you’re dealing with anxiety, it can feel like you’ll never be able to calm yourself down. You might even get used to living your life this way. But you are capable of regaining control over these thoughts and feelings with help from a professional. Our licensed therapists and counselors in Grand Prairie, TX, can help you with treating your anxiety symptoms.
The Benefits of Therapy for People With Anxiety
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a form of psychological treatment where you and a licensed professional meet to talk deeply about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This practice helps people with anxiety learn how to identify and work through the thoughts that cause emotional distress and influence their behavior. Anxiety counseling is often done through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), though other types of therapy like exposure therapy or psychodynamic therapy are also helpful.
Sessions can look different for everyone depending on their unique needs. A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), for example, may have different treatment options than a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there are some general practices taught in therapy, such as:
- Radical acceptance: This skill is about accepting life and your situation as it is, even if you don’t like how things are going.
- Grounding exercises: This can include mindfulness activities such as meditation, yoga, or exercise that help ground you in your present moment.
- Distress tolerance: This includes practices like paced breathing and exercise to help quickly bring you down from a state of extreme emotional distress.
These coping skills can help you reduce anxiety and live your best life. Working with a mental health professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Grand Prairie, TX, can help you learn these types of skills and reduce your anxiety.
Schedule a Session With a Therapist in Grand Prairie, TX
At Thriveworks, we offer sessions in-person and online, all at an affordable rate. We also accept most major insurance plans. When you’re ready to sign up, we’re ready to provide you with the anxiety therapy that works for your lifestyle. New clients can often meet with a licensed counselor within 24-48 hours, thanks to our flexible availability, including evening and weekend sessions. Call our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Grand Prairie, TX, to get started.
Our clients will also gain access to exclusive online content like our Therapy Buddy mobile app and our text support line, which can help you with scheduling and billing concerns.
Do you want support with your anxiety? Consider calling our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Grand Prairie, TX, to get started.
