One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what's really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
Everyone has the capacity for anxiety. It is a survival instinct that’s necessary for us to protect ourselves and to keep from suffering. The issue is that some people’s anxiety reflexes kick in at inappropriate times or won’t shut off once they kick on. This can cause serious issues in relationships, work, and general well-being. Anyone who’s dealt with an anxiety disorder has likely wondered: Why is this happening to me?
If this describes you, it’s important to work with a mental health professional who can help you get your anxiety under control again. Anxiety therapists can help you understand where your anxiety might stem from, what type of anxiety it is, and how you can manage it on a day to day basis.
Thriveworks Counseling in Providence, RI can set you up with one of our anxiety therapists or psychologists upon receipt of your call. We have a scheduling team here 7 days a week who are happy to connect you with one of these providers at a day and time that works with your schedule.
Causes and Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can be complicated but at its core, there are two causes: environmental and biological. You can inherit anxiety from your partner, anxiety can essentially be taught to you by watching the behavior of others, or both could be responsible. Some studies have shown that anxious parents lead to anxious children but it’s not entirely clear how much the environment and how much the biological aspects affect this outcome.
Another common cause of anxiety is trauma. This could be trauma that happened right before the anxiety began. It may be easy to see that the anxiety came as a direct result of the trauma. In other cases, you may have gone through trauma years or even decades before the anxiety began. These disorders can be triggered in unusual ways.
Thriveworks Counseling in Providence, RI can help you look closer and find the answers you need. This starts with determining which type of anxiety you have. Common anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): GAD is the most common form of anxiety and the kind that many are at least somewhat familiar with. You can experience anxiety in
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This is another common form of anxiety that many people are familiar with. If you need a reminder, OCD is characterized by unhealthy thoughts and compulsions.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop after one experiences trauma, such as physical or emotional abuse, a car accident, or another life-threatening event. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks
- Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder is, as the name infers, a form of anxiety that comes with social interactions. One might suffer from social anxiety when speaking publicly, when meeting new people, and in countless other social situations.
There is also panic attack disorder, specific phobias (or fears of specific objects or situations), and other types of anxiety, too. It might feel scary or intimidating to read about these anxiety disorders, but the good news is that you aren’t alone in your battle with anxiety. There is professional, effective help out there.
Professional Anxiety Help at Thriveworks in Providence
It’s common to feel totally hopeless when you’re experiencing anxiety – not because you don’t have hope but because you feel out of control. You can’t seem to control your anxiety. The truth is that you truly can’t control it. You can’t simply wish it away. It’s not a weakness. It is your brain reacting in a way that it feels is appropriate. It’s up to you to get the help you need so you can relearn how to handle conflict and triggers.
The good news is that there are things you can do to get your anxiety under control. At Thriveworks Counseling in Providence, RI, we will work closely with you to find the unique solutions that can help you feel in control again. Our therapists can treat anxiety, offering relaxation techniques, coping mechanisms, and more.
If you’d like to work with one of our anxiety therapists, please reach out to our office. We’ll be happy to get scheduled immediately.
