ANXIETY: MAKE WORRY WORK FOR YOU
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness affecting almost 20% of the U.S. population over the age of 18 years of age. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American, this ailment is one of the most treatable, yet only about 37% of individuals seek out professional treatment. The cause of anxiety develops from a complex set of factors which include but not limited to; genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
Anxiety disorders differ from typical feelings of nervousness or anxiousness because they are based in excessive fear and our responses are generally not relational to the current circumstance. Anxiety can present itself with both psychological and physical symptoms. Symptoms may include: worry, restlessness, irritability, trouble concentrating, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, and tightness in the chest. There are other medical conditions that could be paralleled to some of these symptoms so always call 911 or seek out a medical assessment if you are experiencing any of these to have a medical condition ruled out.
From a clinical counseling perspective, generalized anxiety disorder can be treated through a holistic approach of psychotherapy, internal messaging reprocessing, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and lifestyle analysis. Identifying triggers and precipitating events can be key to finding the root cause of the anxiety and strengthening new learned strategies and management skills. Often times, I find that anxiety has greatly impacted a clients personal relationships or ability to feel comfortable in social situations. Together we develop a plan that is right for you.
Treatment is personalized to client needs and diagnosis. Effective options include:
Psychotherapy: clinical counseling that utilizes a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach to explore thought patterns, unhelpful thinking, and cognitive distortions to reprocess and reframe because these thought patterns can have a direct impact on our emotions, feelings, and actions.
Mindfulness: breathing exercises, body scans, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can be utilized to head off anxiety or reduce symptoms to induce a sense of calm.
Lifestyle Analysis: documenting and tracking sleep patterns, exercise routines, and substances that may impact or amplify anxiety can be key to identifying precipitating triggers or cause us to have an extreme response to normal stressors.
Experiencing a certain level of anxiety is a healthy human response and can oftentimes be the indicator to external stimuli that needs attention. Through counseling, we identify what strategies can be used to customize your personal treatment plan. The goal is to develop a new relationship with anxiety and to incorporate new living skills to make anxiety work for you!
Disclaimer: Severe anxiety can be debilitating and require possible medication or medical evaluation. It is recommended to see a certified medical psychiatrist or doctor for an evaluation and assessment. Additionally, a holistic plan of psychotherapy, mindfulness, medication, and lifestyle analysis is still recommended.