The Greek fabulist Aesop once wisely stated, “A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.” Anxiety has the ability to sap the joy out of happy occasions by forecasting the worst possible outcomes—eventualities that probably won’t ever happen. This worst-case-scenario thinking usually only serves the purpose of spoiling the moment. It doesn’t actually help people survive. Yes, anxiety in small amounts can be adaptive. But excessive fears and worries are usually debilitating. Fortunately, there’s help for people who suffer from this common mental health condition.
Professional anxiety therapy can support people with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and other types of anxiety that can interfere with daily functioning and hinder the achievement of one’s goals. The licensed anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL help create individualized treatment plans that might include mindfulness training or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatment plans may also include medication prescribed by a Thriveworks psychiatrist.
Who Is Best Qualified to Treat Anxiety?
Many people first present their symptoms of anxiety to their primary care doctor. After all, the symptoms of anxiety can often be physical. Consider the following examples:
- Sleep disruptions like insomnia or nightmares
- Digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Migraines or headaches
- Appetite problems
- Hyperventilation
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or faintness
- Racing heartbeat
But a primary care doctor or family physician does not usually have the specialized training and knowledge required to treat anxiety disorders. The anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL use different types of therapy like CBT to address anxiety from the inside-out. These mental health professionals might help people with coping skills or cognitive strategies to overcome their excessive worries.
What Are the Types of Anxiety?
Anxiety is usually classified into the following types:
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Separation anxiety
- Selective mutism
- Agoraphobia
- Medication-induced anxiety disorder
As for this last type, a qualified psychiatrist at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL can help determine whether the side effects of a client’s medications are mimicking anxiety symptoms, or whether the anxiety originates from somewhere else.
Is General Anxiety Disorder Curable?
Though mental health providers don’t typically speak in terms of “cures,” general anxiety disorder is highly treatable. Many people with acute anxiety can overcome their condition with the right professional advice and support. Some of the treatments used by anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL include the following:
- CBT
- Exposure therapy, especially for specific phobias of objects or situations (also called systematic desensitization)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Psychiatric medication like antidepressants, prescribed by a licensed Thriveworks psychiatrist
- Holistic treatments like meditation and deep breathing
- Relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness therapy
- Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Applied relaxation training (ART)
- Supportive-expressive therapy
- Biofeedback
- Art and music therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
- Lifestyle modifications like increased exercise and reduced caffeine
- Family therapy or couples counseling
Does CBT Work for Panic Attacks?
CBT can be a great tool for managing panic attacks and panic disorder. CBT works to challenge the thoughts that might fuel panic. By changing negative thinking patterns, CBT can change the way a person reacts. Other approaches that work well for people with panic disorder are systematic desensitization, relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, and skill building.
If you do find yourself having a panic attack, focus on your perspective and your senses. Experts like the anxiety therapists at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL may recommend taking the following steps:
- Inhale deeply, which can signal to your brain that your body is safe.
- Remind yourself that you’re experiencing a panic attack. Sometimes labeling a mental condition can help if you’re feeling anxious.
- Find a focus object, like something you can see or hear or touch.
- Repeat a mantra like, “Everything is okay.”
Anxiety attacks can be terrifying, but remember that you are not dying. You are experiencing a common mental health episode that you will survive.
Get Affordable Anxiety Therapy at Thriveworks in Woodridge, IL
All the anxiety therapists at Thriveworks are fully licensed and recruited from the top 4% of mental health providers in the area. They also accept most major forms of health insurance coverage. This means that Thriveworks clients in Woodridge, IL receive premium care and mental health support at affordable prices. In addition, Thriveworks providers offer traditional, in-person counseling at the modern office in Woodridge, as well as online counseling. Both types of session are of equal length and quality. Clients can choose whatever approach is most comfortable and convenient for them.
When you call the Thriveworks office, our staff can find you an appointment quickly with an exceptional anxiety therapist. Most clients can meet with their provider within 24-48 hours of their call. They can also reach their provider by phone or email between sessions.
Call Thriveworks today to get matched to a top-rated anxiety therapist who can help you achieve your goals.
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