If you’ve ever been driving when the person next to you veers into your lane, you’ve probably experienced the flight-or-fight response your body produces when you’re in danger. This is a natural and healthy response that helps keep us alive; it’s activated in special circumstances in which your life might be threatened.
But what happens when that fight-or-flight response is on all the time?
Anxiety is something we all experience on some levels, but for some people in can be crippling. When anxiety is too much too often, it can affect our thought pattern, emotions, behaviors, and general ability to have a healthy, happy life. Chronic and/or Severe Anxiety is like an ambulance siren in your brain that never turns off. It’s exhausting!
The good news is there are ways to train your body to not be on high alert all the time. You don’t have to live with racing levels of anxiety all the time. Thriveworks Pueblo offers professional counseling services for anxiety. We know how damaging anxiety can be to your life, but we also know the power of good therapy. Together, we can kick anxiety to the curb and set your life up for success and happiness. Call (719) 838-6383 for more information or to schedule an appointment today.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety can be difficult to spot because it can manifest in many different ways. Some people may have specific anxiety that only surfaces when encountering certain situations- like meeting a dog, driving, or having to order food over the phone. This is called specific anxiety and may be sign of a phobia. The other type of anxiety is called Generalized Anxiety Disorder and is where anxiety persists throughout the day without a central theme.
Both types of anxiety can be highly disruptive to your daily routine but are also highly treatable! As always, the first step is to recognize the problem. Some common symptoms of anxiety are:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Digestive issues
- Sweaty palms
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth
- More frequent urination
- Experience of dread or avoidance of particular situations: social settings, being in the public/crowds/spotlight, new environments
- Obsessive thinking
- Anxiety/panic attacks
One client described anxiety like driving in the 2nd gear down the highway and trying to keep up with people in the 5th gear. It’s exhausting, damaging, and really, really hard. No one deserves to feel like that, and with Thriveworks Pueblo, you don’t have to!
Remember, anxiety is a multifaceted thing. If you don’t resonate with anything on the list, you could still have anxiety. If you think counseling with Thriveworks Pueblo would help you, give us a call! There is never a reason too big or too small. Counseling can always help.
How Does Anxiety Treatment Work?
With a counselor that you trust, you can begin to overcome your anxiety. At Thriveworks Pueblo, we practice a client-centered philosophy where your goals, worries, and preferences take the center spot. Therapy is about you, not the counselor. We are here to guide and offer professional advice.
Sometimes, therapy might be uncomfortable, scary, or even make it feel like your anxiety is getting worse (a common encounter when treating anxiety). You are undoing possibly years of anxious thought patterns and habits. Your body will resist at first, but Thriveworks Pueblo counselors have years of experience and many tools that can help you manage and cope with your anxiety. Some of what you might discuss in an anxiety counseling session include:
- Cognitive Behavioral work (addressing negative thoughts and the behaviors associated with them and putting a stop to them)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- a very cool new counseling technique that draws on your body’s natural ability to heal)
- Proactive ways to recalibrate your nervous system (healthy foods, meditation, exercise, journaling)
- Assessing physical ramifications and how to address them
- Experiential work to release the past
- Reframing
- Redefining
- Visualization
- Mindfulness
- Group support
It’s estimated that about 18% of the United States population is struggling with anxiety. That’s almost 40 million people who can relate to you in some way. You are far from alone. And you are not without help. If you are ready to take that next step in treating anxiety, Thriveworks Pueblo applauds your courage and vulnerability. It’s not an easy step, but it can have lasting positive impacts.
Psychology has made leaps and bounds in the last few decades, so we are able to confidently treat all types of anxiety with precision and skill. If you are ready to leave anxiety behind, give us a call at (719) 838-6383. We guarantee to get you into an appointment within 48 hours of you call (if you want) and strive to have no waitlist.
