Everyone experiences anxiety or stress from time to time. Most of the time, feeling nervous or anxious is evidence that you care about something and want it to go well. Pushing through these everyday anxieties and finding ways to control stress are normal parts of life.
But what if you’re nervous all the time, about everything? Existing in this heightened state of alertness can interfere with your life by preventing you from doing things you want to do, seeing people you care about and going to the places you want to go.
Dealing with an anxiety disorder can make it feel like you’re leading a life half-lived. It can be stifling to constantly worry and anticipate the worst outcomes, especially when it impacts the choices you make. Luckily, help is available, and you don’t have to let your anxiety control your life.
Working with a licensed mental health professional, like the counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Medford, OR can help you reduce anxiety and find balance in your life. If you’re ready to begin this journey, reach out to schedule an appointment with us today.
Do I Have an Anxiety Disorder?
As mentioned above, it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, and especially in certain situations. But if your nerves regularly keep you from living the life you want, you may want to consider whether you’re exhibiting signs of an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety may include any of the following:
- Feeling on-edge, fearful, and tense for most of the day
- Intensity of worry or fear doesn’t match the situation
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
- Panic attacks
- Rapid heart rate and breathing
- Feeling exhausted and weak
- Avoiding activities, objects, or situations that trigger your anxiety
- Appetite loss
- Muscle aches, frequent headaches, or other unexplained body pains
It’s possible to experience anxiety symptoms for some time without realizing it, and you may believe that they are just a normal part of life. But living in a constant state of fear or worry can take its toll. Therapy for anxiety can help you reduce anxiety and the effect it has on your daily life.
Diagnosing your specific disorder is the first step in treating anxiety. There are numerous forms of anxiety, and each has unique causes and symptoms. Some common types of anxiety include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Specific phobias
Putting a name to your symptoms and experience can help you understand what you’re going through. A therapist or counselor at Thriveworks in Medford, OR can help you determine if you’re facing an anxiety disorder and give you the tools to cope with your symptoms.
What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
Everyone’s experience with anxiety is unique, and symptoms may vary from one person to the next. Your anxiety treatment will also be one-of-a-kind and may even differ from that of others with the same diagnosis.
There are some general expectations you can have for anxiety therapy or counseling. Whether your treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, interpersonal therapy, or another type of talk therapy, you can expect to learn a lot about your thinking patterns and how they influence your behavior.
People with anxiety give a lot of power to their thoughts, whether or not those thoughts are an accurate reflection of reality. For example, someone with social anxiety may have had an embarrassing experience at a party and now believes that they will be embarrassed every time they attend a party. Although this is an unlikely outcome, anxiety can often convince you that such generalizations are true.
During counseling or therapy sessions, you’ll practice critically assessing these generalizations, separating fact from fiction, and preventing agitation caused by unfounded worries. To help you with this, your therapist or counselor might suggest lifestyle changes such as yoga or meditation or recommend a prescription anti-anxiety medication to reduce anxiety and manage other symptoms.
A licensed mental health professional at Thriveworks in Medford, OR, can create a personalized treatment plan just for you and break it down into actionable goals. No matter where you are in your journey with anxiety, our counselors and therapists can help you take the next step.
Start Anxiety Therapy Sessions at Thriveworks in Medford, OR
If you’re struggling with anxiety, help is available at Thriveworks Counseling in Medford, OR. We offer flexible scheduling for in-person and online sessions, and you may be able to meet with a provider within 24 to 48 hours.
Other Thriveworks enrollment benefits include access to features such as:
- Text support for scheduling and billing needs
- Weekend and evening appointments
- 24-hour ask-a-coach Q&A
- Exclusive online video content
A therapist or counselor at Thriveworks Counseling can help you overcome anxiety and regain control of your life, as soon as you’re ready to take the next step. Call our office in Medford, OR today, or use our online portal to schedule your first appointment. You can thrive – Thriveworks can help.
