Do your thoughts race as you lie awake in bed? Do you spend most of your days feeling “on edge” or worried about what others think about you? Does the thought of speaking in front of people fill you with panic and fear?
Anxiety can rear its head in many different ways throughout our lives. Some level of anxiety is completely normal and expected. You might feel anxious when your boss calls a surprise meeting at work or when speaking in front of a large crowd. For those living with an anxiety disorder, anxiety can make everyday tasks more difficult than they have to be.
Thankfully, anxiety is easily treatable. Therapists and counselors work with their clients using research-backed mental health treatments to help people live calmer and happier lives.
Have you ever wanted to speak with a mental health professional about your anxiety? Consider calling our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Shreveport, LA. Our team of compassionate therapists and counselors can help you find relief and move forward with your life.
The Most Common Anxiety Symptoms
Almost everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives. It’s a very normal response to stressful situations like changing jobs, moving to a new city, or financial troubles. However, some people experience anxiety disorders, which are characterized by excessive anxiety that significantly interferes with their life.
Anxiety can look different for everyone but here are some common anxiety symptoms to look out for:
- Excessive fear or worry
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Panic attacks
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Extreme phobia or fear
The specific symptoms you experience may depend on the type of anxiety disorder you face as well as your genetics, environment, personality, among other factors. No matter what you may be going through, the licensed professionals from Thriveworks Counseling can provide a space for you to discuss your anxiety symptoms and learn ways to manage them.
Treating Anxiety: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
Whether you’re dealing with social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or something else entirely, it’s important to know that treatment is available. Anxiety counselors or therapists can help you understand your anxiety and guide you toward a healthier future.
Therapy or counseling differs depending on the type of anxiety you’re experiencing. Here are a couple of therapeutic methods you might encounter:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a form of therapy that can be used to treat many different mental health issues and is particularly effective for people with anxiety. CBT focuses on challenging unhealthy and inaccurate thoughts and beliefs in order to replace them with more objective and realistic thought patterns. This style of therapy can sometimes involve assignments such as journaling or stress reduction techniques. You’ll work with your provider to integrate any insights from these assignments into your life.
- Exposure therapy: This type of therapy can be beneficial for people experiencing a phobia. Phobias are anxiety disorders marked by an excessive and irrational fear reaction to a specific object or situation. Exposure therapy is a technique that is used to reduce anxiety caused by the object of fear. For example, someone who is arachnophobic might first interact with cartoon pictures of spiders, move on to watching realistic video clips of spiders, and eventually sit in the same room as a spider in a cage. The process is guided by a mental health professional to ensure safe and healthy progress.
Working with a therapist or counselor can teach you about your anxiety and help you manage or eliminate its symptoms. You can learn coping skills and stress reduction techniques to reduce anxiety’s impact on your life. Call our office today to work with a professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Shreveport, LA.
Connect With a Therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Shreveport, LA
Are you struggling with anxiety? Reaching out to a mental health professional can help. Counselors and therapists from Thriveworks Counseling in Shreveport, LA can create a compassionate, judgment-free space for you to discuss your anxiety and find ways to move forward.
We think that taking care of your mental health should be simple. That’s why we offer convenient online session options via phone or video chat in addition to in-person appointments. No matter what you choose, we offer weekday, evening, and weekend appointments to accommodate your schedule.
We don’t believe in waitlists, and you might be able to work with a counselor more quickly than you thought –– many of our new clients can see a provider within 24-48 hours. We also offer a flexible cancellation policy and we accept many major health insurance plans to help you afford treatment.
Working with a mental health professional from Thriveworks Counseling in Shreveport, LA can help you calm your anxiety and find a sense of mental serenity. Call our office today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you.
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