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.
A Swedish proverb states, “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” Excessive worries and fears are called anxiety. Anxiety can suck the joy out of life by making people anticipate the worst that could happen. It’s hard to live in the moment and find happiness when you’re constantly forecasting bad things. Some people manage their anxiety by avoiding people or situations. Others manage it by drinking too much or doing drugs. But some of these coping strategies just lead to worse problems–and more anxiety. If you’re suffering from symptoms of anxiety, there’s good news. Anxiety is very treatable. With the proper interventions, you can overcome your anxiety and get back to experiencing happiness in the present.
The licensed anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM have the experience and expertise to help clients manage their anxious thoughts and feelings. Treating anxiety takes patience, compassion, and meaningful insight. Sometimes medication can help support recovery. Other times a more holistic approach is needed. Each individual case is different. That’s why Thriveworks therapists always treat the whole person, not just the anxiety diagnosis.
What Causes Anxiety?
Anxiety can stem from a wide range of sources. Some people have anxiety due to traumatic experiences. Others have obsessive thoughts that lead them down anxiety rabbit holes. Anxiety can be triggered by experience, the environment, or epigenetics (when certain genes are triggered by environmental input). A therapist or counselor will be interested in uncovering the origins of someone’s anxiety in order to come up with the best treatment plan. But first, they will need to determine that someone is suffering from anxiety and not another health condition that can mimic anxiety. Therapists at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM may look for any of the following physical symptoms:
- Sleep disruptions
- Digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Migraines or headaches
- Memory and attention issues
- Mild and major depression
- Repetitive behaviors (can indicate obsessive compulsive disorder, aka OCD)
- Substance abuse issues
- Appetite changes
- Racing heart
- Hyperventilation
- Hypochondria
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or faintness
Anxiety counselors will also want to discuss the client’s thoughts and feelings. For example, what does someone with acute social anxiety disorder believe will happen if they encounter an acquaintance at the grocery store? Sometimes talking through underlying beliefs can help unravel irrational fears and worries.
How Do You Treat Anxiety Disorders?
Therapists determine the proper course of anxiety treatment by taking many factors into account, including the client’s wishes and feedback and the type of anxiety disorder. Fortunately anxiety counselors have many effective, evidence-based types of therapy at their disposal to reduce anxiety, including the following:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy, especially for specific phobias of an object or situation
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Psychiatric medications like antidepressants
- Relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing
- Mindfulness therapy
- Supportive-expressive therapy
- Biofeedback
- Art and music therapy
- Substance abuse therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle modifications like increased exercise, better nutrition, and reduced caffeine
- Family therapy or couples counseling
What Is a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks go beyond feeling anxious and can cause severe physical distress, even to the point where the person suffering believes that they’re having a heart attack. Frequent panic attacks can indicate panic disorder. If you’re having a panic attack, mental health experts recommend taking the following steps:
- Breathe deeply to send a message to your mind that your body is calm and safe
- Bring what’s happening into conscious awareness, i.e., “I’m not dying. I’m just experiencing a panic attack.”
- Find an object to focus on. Or you can use the 3 3 3 rule where you find three things in your immediate environment that you can smell, three things that you can touch, and three things that you can hear. This can help foster mindfulness.
- Repeat a mantra like, “I am okay.”
Get Exceptional Anxiety Therapy at Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM
When you reach out to Thriveworks in Rio Rancho, NM, you know that you’ll receive premium care, quickly, from a top-rated anxiety therapist. Most clients can see a provider within 24-48 hours of their initial call. You can also book your appointment online if that makes you more comfortable.
Thriveworks providers offer in-person sessions as well as online counseling sessions. Some clients choose a hybrid model of appointments at their convenience. The fully licensed Thriveworks providers accept most health insurance plans, helping to make anxiety therapy affordable to the people who need it most. Thriveworks also offers reasonable self-pay rates. Thriveworks also has psychiatrists on staff who can prescribe and manage medication.
As an additional benefit, Thriveworks clients can reach their provider by email or phone between sessions. This gives many clients peace of mind, knowing that their provider will be there if they need them.
Don’t wait to address your anxiety. Get help from Thriveworks today.