Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried, and can have a distressing impact on our lives. It manifests in various ways, affecting both the mind and body. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent Worry: Anxiety often brings incessant thoughts and excessive worry about everyday matters, even when there’s no apparent reason for concern.
- Physical Symptoms: Individuals with anxiety may experience physical manifestations such as racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues.
- Cognitive Distortions: Anxiety can lead to distorted thinking patterns, including catastrophizing, overgeneralization, and negative self-talk. These patterns exacerbate feelings of fear and unease.
- Avoidance Behavior: Anxious individuals may tend to avoid situations or places that trigger their anxiety, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
Various treatment approaches can help individuals manage anxiety and regain control. Consider the following options if you or someone you know is struggling:
- Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective in identifying and changing negative thought patterns. It provides coping strategies and addresses underlying causes of anxiety. Our therapists are experienced in CBT and can help you develop strategies to navigate thought patterns.
- Medication: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Medication should always be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional.
- Lifestyle changes may also contribute to an improvement in the symptoms of anxiety. Some of these changes include engaging in regular exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, maintaining a balanced diet, and prioritizing sleep can contribute to anxiety reduction.
We know that beginning to explore the ways we can overcome anxiety may feel overwhelming at first. The help of a therapist can be a great resource to help guide and support you through the process. We invite you to explore our therapists’ profiles to see if one of us might be the right fit for you.
