Anxiety is a normal experience for most people, regardless of lifestyle, age, or family history. It is your body’s natural response to stress and can make you feel worried, fearful, or apprehensive. Feeling anxious can help you perform well on that big test or that job interview and can even get you out of danger.
But what happens when those jitters don’t disappear after you’ve completed the exam or landed the job interview? What happens when you always feel like you’re in imminent danger, even when you’re not? If feelings of fear or apprehension are extreme or persistent in your daily life, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are common and their symptoms can get in the way of normal activity and healthy relationships. They can cause you to miss out on opportunities and avoid risks that help you reach your goals. If left untreated, anxiety may worsen and lead to panic attacks, depression, and other mental or physical conditions.
Everyone feels stressed sometimes but if feelings of anxiety are interfering with your everyday life, it may be time to consider seeking anxiety counseling. When you’re ready to bring stability back into your life, the counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists at Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA are standing by to help.
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
Anxiety doesn’t come with a user handbook and the symptoms and causes can vary from one person to the next. A combination of factors is often to blame for the existence or severity of an anxiety disorder, including genetics, brain chemistry, childhood events, and current stressors.
Anxiety can cause both physical and mental symptoms. These symptoms can arise gradually or be very acute. Feeling nervous, tense, or restless is common in most people who experience anxiety.
Other symptoms may include:
- Increased heart rate
- Hyperventilation
- Trouble sleeping
- Nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trembling or sweating
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Sense of impending doom or danger
- Gastrointestinal (GI) problems
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to consider anxiety counseling with a professional. Working with a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA can help you reduce your anxiety and build a healthier, happier life.
How Can Therapy Help My Anxiety?
If you have an anxiety disorder, you may have a hard time controlling your worry, causing you to avoid places or situations that trigger your anxiety. While social isolation, avoidance, or substance use may help relieve your symptoms in the moment, they can cause much more damage in the long run.
Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle anxiety on your own. While anxiety has no absolute “cure,” anxiety counseling can give you the tools you need to manage your symptoms and keep your worry at bay. People with anxiety can overcome even the most troublesome symptoms and go on to live happy lives with little stress.
Therapy for anxiety can include many different techniques, and your licensed therapist or counselor will create a treatment plan unique to your personal experience. Some forms of talk therapy used to reduce anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, and exposure therapy.
Talk therapy often involves adjusting your thinking patterns so you’re able to perceive events in a less stressful way. It also teaches coping mechanisms to help you deal with those stressors when they inevitably come knocking. Often, these therapeutic techniques are paired with prescription medications, relaxation techniques, and other treatment options.
Talk therapy can be conducted in several different settings. You can choose to meet with your therapist in-person or online. Sessions may also be conducted one-on-one, as a couple, or as a group or family. Both adults and children experience anxiety and can benefit from anxiety counseling. The licensed therapists at Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA are trained to work with clients of all ages.
Starting Therapy for Anxiety With Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA
If you are struggling with anxiety or having trouble managing the mounting stress in your life, the therapists at Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA can help. New clients can often have their first appointment within 24 to 48 hours of reaching out, and all of our clients have access to exclusive video content to help them get started.
At Thriveworks, we can make managing your anxiety a lot easier. Appointments are available seven days a week with flexible early morning and evening sessions. Our therapists are available for in-person or online appointments and are reachable between sessions by email or phone calls. You can rest assured that our team is here to guide you through every step of your healing journey.
You don’t have to let your fear of tomorrow impact you today. Call us at Thriveworks in Lafayette, LA to schedule your first appointment.
