In 2018 the pro basketball player Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers wrote an essay about experiencing a panic attack during a game. He’d had to leave the court, feeling his heart racing uncontrollably, thinking he was “about to die.” A 1999 biography of NFL Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell is subtitled A Football Great’s Battle with Panic Disorder. And the last time that NFL great John Madden flew on an airplane was reportedly in 1979, when he suffered a panic attack on board.
It doesn’t matter how strong or successful you are, anxiety can affect anyone. The extreme “fight or flight” response that probably evolved to protect our ancestors from predators can be maladaptive when you’re just going about your daily business. But exceptional anxiety therapists like those at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek, CA can help retrain your brain to respond to common anxiety triggers in less fearful ways.
Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek, CA are here to offer expert, evidence-based support to individuals who suffer from excessive fear and worries. They use tried and true therapeutic methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help modify your thoughts and physiological responses so you’re not as overwhelmed by anxiety.
Learn to Recognize the Different Kinds of Anxiety and Their Symptoms
Not all anxiety is alike, though many of the physical responses are the same. Individuals with anxiety are probably familiar with the physiological symptoms, including a racing heart, sweating, weakness or fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and digestive problems. But anxiety can have different sources. Here are a few types of anxiety and the kind of thoughts that enable them:
- Social anxiety disorder, when an individual might anticipate suffering from extreme embarrassment or humiliation in public and hence irrationally avoid the company of other people.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), when an individual might believe that performing a repeated activity (like washing one’s hands or pulling out one’s hair) will prevent something bad from happening.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), when excessive and irrational worries interfere with an individual’s daily life.
- Panic disorder, when an individual suffers from panic attacks during which they might believe they’re losing control or are going to die.
- Separation anxiety disorder, when an individual experiences extreme distress at the thought of being apart from loved ones.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), when an individual experiences extreme symptoms of anxiety and distress following a traumatic event.
- Phobias, when an individual is irrationally terrified of an object or experience, like spiders or flying.
How Do You Treat Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is typically treated with a type of cognitive psychotherapy called CBT. CBT helps individuals modify their reactions to fearful thoughts and physical sensations. Psychiatrists can also prescribe medications like antidepressants or benzodiazepines to help treat panic disorder. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek, CA can work with your Thriveworks psychiatrist to find the best course of treatment for you.
The Most Effective Treatments for Anxiety
Because so many millions of people suffer from anxiety, psychologists have developed a vast number of evidence-based treatments to help with the disorder. These treatments may include the following:
- CBT
- Psychotherapy
- Exposure therapy
- Relaxation or mindfulness techniques (e.g., meditation and deep breathing)
- Music and art therapy
- Biofeedback
- Psychiatric medications
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle changes (modifications to diet and exercise)
- Family therapy or couples counseling
- Substance abuse counseling
These treatment options are not mutually exclusive. Anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek may use a number of different tools to support your journey and help reduce your symptoms.
Know the Links Between Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression often occur together in a maladaptive cycle. For example, an individual with PTSD might get depressed over time because they’re in distress so often. Or an individual suffering from clinical depression may become fearful about seeing friends and family members. Fortunately, mental health providers at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek, CA recognize the symbiotic nature of the relationship between anxiety and depression. Our counselors have considerable expertise in treating both conditions together.
Get the Help You Need for Your Anxiety Symptoms at Thriveworks in Walnut Creek, CA
For someone already experiencing the symptoms of anxiety, reaching out to a therapist for the first time can feel especially intimidating. That’s why Thriveworks works hard to make the process easier for you. Our office in Walnut Creek, CA opens early and stays open late so you can reach a human, not a voicemail, when you call. Or you can book online, if that’s more comfortable for you. We can usually find an appointment for you with a top-rated, licensed anxiety therapist within 24-48 hours. And we can even accommodate your schedule or your psychological needs by making you an online (virtual) appointment rather than in-person.
Call today to learn all the benefits of enrolling at Thriveworks. We want to match you to an exceptional counselor who can help you find relief for your anxiety.
