It’s normal to feel worried about upcoming events, especially if you are unsure of the outcome. Say you have a big test looming or you have to do a presentation in front of a large group of people, and you get those “butterflies” in your stomach. This nervousness or anxiety can be the fuel that you need to push through and perform well because you know that feeling in your stomach will be gone afterward.
However, there is a difference between run-of-the-mill anxiety and an anxiety disorder. While the former is typically characterized by short, manageable periods of discomfort, the latter may be characterized by panic attacks, extreme worry, or constantly feeling “on edge.” These feelings can start to impact your life and interfere with your relationships, hobbies, and career.
If you do struggle with high levels of anxiety, it’s important to know that you are not alone. These feelings affect millions of people, many of whom you wouldn’t even think had any reason to be nervous or anxious.
Even the great Oprah Winfrey has said that she suffers from anxiety. She’s revealed in interviews that her feelings almost caused her to have a nervous breakdown. At first, she felt an overwhelming sense of “numbness” and “speeding” from one thing to the next, and soon she knew she had to seek treatment.
If you are experiencing uncontrollable or unpredictable anxiety, therapy can help you learn to control it. The licensed professionals at Thriveworks in Long Beach, CA understand how to treat anxiety and can work with you to develop the skills to manage your feelings.
Common Anxiety Symptoms People Often Feel
Anxiety disorders can look different from person to person but there are some symptoms that are usually common in people with anxiety. These include:
- Excessive worrying
- Panic attacks
- Feeling tense or agitated
- Excessive nervousness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating and staying on task
- Difficulty relaxing
- Irrational fears or phobias
- Social anxiety
- Self-destructive coping mechanisms
People with one or more of these symptoms may be struggling with a diagnosable anxiety disorder. If this describes you, there are ways to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. The professionals at Thriveworks in Long Beach, CA are experts in mental health issues and can assist you in reducing their anxiety.
Getting Help: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy Sessions
Many of us feel like our anxiety is a normal part of life and that we should be able to control and manage it ourselves. We hear all too often that we should “just relax” or “stop worrying so much.” But seeking treatment for anxiety that feels out of control is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it takes courage to recognize when things are unmanageable on your own.
There are various kinds of treatment for anxiety that can empower you to manage and control your symptoms. Prescription medications are sometimes used, as are various forms of talk therapy, where a client works with a mental health professional to identify and resolve issues causing emotional distress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used types of talk therapy for anxiety and centers around the idea that our thoughts affect how we feel and behave. Working to reframe and change these thoughts can therefore have an effect on our behavior. Your therapist will teach you strategies for dealing with your “all or nothing” thinking, for example, so that over time you can recognize and manage these thought patterns yourself.
Other types of therapy include exposure therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychotherapy. You may also learn relaxation techniques and coping skills, such as deep breathing and meditation exercises, to keep anxiety symptoms more manageable. Your provider will work with you to customize a treatment plan that is right for you.
Talk With an Anxiety Therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Long Beach, CA
If you are ready to begin treating your anxiety and working towards a better future for yourself, consider speaking with a counselor or therapist at Thriveworks in Long Beach, CA. New clients can often be scheduled to meet with one of our licensed providers in as little as 24 hours. We also have counseling sessions available in the evenings and on weekends so that you can make an appointment that works for your schedule.
At Thriveworks, we accept many different insurance plans and give clients the ability to speak with their therapist in-person, via video chats, or over the phone. You can even access your provider by email or phone call between sessions if needed. Our clients have access to text support via our Success Navigator as well.
If your anxiety is getting in the way of your overall health and well-being, you don’t have to fight it alone. Reach out to Thriveworks in Long Beach, CA to begin your journey to a healthier life today.
