Managing and Treating Anxiety Disorders
“Sometimes I get anxious because I don’t feel anxious, which means I forgot what I was supposed to be anxious about in the first place, and that gives me anxiety…which can feel like depression.” – Anon
Is overwhelming worry getting in the way of your responsibilities at school, work, and/or home?
Do you experience any combination of the following sensations: nervousness, restlessness, tension, panic, pounding heart, difficulties breathing, excessive sweating, or trembling?
Does fear keep you from connecting with others, making decisions, or going places and doing things you want or need to do?
Do you drink too much, use drugs, or do other unhealthy activities to help you cope with stress/anxiety?
Do your thoughts, emotions, and actions feel out of control, and you are unable to relax and enjoy life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. There are different types of anxiety disorders. These include:
Generalized Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is when you feel anxious and worried most of the time, not just in stressful situations. The worry is about different things and is intense and persistent. It interferes with day-to-day activities and overall sense of feeling well.
Reducing Worry and Recovering from Generalized Anxiety
Panic Disorder
A panic attack, also called an anxiety attack, is a brief period of anxiety that includes the physical sensations of fear. It often occurs unexpectedly, without external threat, and lasts for a few minutes. Physical and emotional symptoms can linger for several hours. If you have recurring panic attacks, you may have Panic Disorder.
Social Anxiety
If you are experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder, you have an excessive concern or fear of negative judgment and rejection by others. As a consequence, you avoid social situations which interferes with school, work, or social opportunities.
Trauma/PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a reaction to a traumatic event you experienced or witnessed that threatened your or another’s life or safety. Your reactions may include flashbacks, nightmares, fear, avoiding, and depression as well as anxiety. The traumatic event can be a serious accident, physical or sexual assault, emotional abuse, war, or natural disaster (e.g., hurricane, flooding).
Treatment for Anxiety
While anxiety disorders can be very stressful, even debilitating, fortunately. they are very treatable. Appropriate interventions tailored to your needs can help you manage your symptoms and reduce or eliminate anxiety. Research-supported practices that effectively treat anxiety including the following:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a widely used and effective treatment for anxiety. It is a behavioral approach that focuses on both acceptance and change, You learn to let go of the fight to change unwanted or feared thoughts, emotions, memories, and physical sensations and, instead, focus your attention on the present and on valued actions. By doing so, your symptoms of anxiety are reduced and you are able to live a more productive and fulfilling life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and (Dis)Ability
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses how your thoughts, feelings, and actions interact to cause and maintain anxiety. You learn to identify and modify unhelpful, often irrational, thinking patterns that influence your emotions and behaviors. You also learn learn to change behaviors that reinforce symptoms and make anxiety worse. CBT for anxiety disorders includes the following interventions: education on anxiety; challenging negative thoughts; exposure therapy/systematic desensitization; relaxation skills; assertiveness training; and problem-solving skills.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and (Dis)Ability
Mindfulness Therapy
Mindfulness Therapy (Mindfulness-based Therapy, Mindfulness-based Interventions) is a counseling approach that, similar to other interventions, may be used alone or with other therapies to treat anxiety. It is, in fact, a major component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Mindfulness is a way to becoming more present in the moment, more aware of yourself and your environment. Being more present and aware allows you to be more self-compassionate, and accepting of your thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences, which promotes mental health.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), also known as Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), is one of the most widely used and successful treatments for anxiety disorders. It is a strength-based, goal-directed, and present and future-oriented approach. In SFBT, you clearly define your goals for therapy (details of what life will be like when anxiety is no longer a part of it), identify and build on your strengths and resources by exploring exceptions and solutions to the problem (what has been helpful and could be helpful), and move forward on your path to achieving your goals one doable step at a time (making what may seem unmanageable very possible).
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and (Dis)Ability
If you think you may be experiencing anxiety that is getting in the way of day-to-day tasks and fully enjoying life, I am confident I can help. Together, we’ll customize our sessions to best meet your needs and help you learn how to better manage and reduce anxiety, grow from your adversity, and live a more fulfilling life.
Let’s schedule your free phone consultation today and get connected online.
Please see additional information about my telehealth and online services at Telehealth in Florida: Online Therapy for Florida Residents with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and (Dis)Ability-related Issues