One of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to learn about your own anxiety: your symptoms, what triggers it, and what coping mechanisms have been effective in the past. When you learn what your anxiety is tied to, it can help you be mindful of what’s really happening as well as prevent and mitigate symptoms by processing and working through the issue in therapy. Other strategies that have been shown to help manage anxiety are meditation, challenging anxious thoughts, exercising, and journaling.
On average, people can tend to attend 15 to 20 session of anxiety therapy (five or more months). However, this number is heavily dependent on the type of anxiety that’s being treated and its severity, with many choosing to attend anxiety therapy for a longer period of time to ensure its effectiveness long-term.
Do you think you might be experiencing the symptoms of an anxiety disorder? At Thriveworks in Normal, IL, our licensed mental health professionals can help you reduce your anxiety and bring peace and stability into your life. When you’re ready to make a change, give our team a call to schedule an appointment.
Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms
Simply put, anxiety disorders are mental health disorders characterized by persistent and intense worry and fear. There are several different types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While there are slight variations between each of these disorders, there are some general anxiety symptoms you can look out for, including:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- An impending sense of dread and doom
- Difficulty concentrating and retaining information
- Disrupted sleep
- Irritability
- Muscle tension and headaches
- Lack of control over feelings
- Feelings of exhaustion
- Panic attacks
What Does Treating Anxiety Look Like?
Once you pick a provider, they’ll spend time getting to know you, your personality, your environmental stressors, and your symptoms. Anxiety counseling can look different from client to client depending on the variations in their needs and concerns.
One of the most common forms of therapy used to treat anxiety is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy is based on the idea that people’s thoughts greatly influence their mental, emotional, and behavioral health. In CBT, a therapist or counselor will help you identify and reframe these patterns for more positive and grounded thinking.
Your provider might also determine that medication could be beneficial to your treatment, in which case, they’ll refer you to a psychiatrist who can make that determination and prescribe you medication directly. They may also teach you coping skills, provide suggestions for changes to your sleeping habits, or guide you through relaxation techniques to calm you down in and outside of sessions.
Talk to a Licensed Professional at Thriveworks in Normal, IL
If you’re ready to find control over your anxiety, we’re here to help you. Call to schedule an appointment and gain access to these benefits:
- Morning, evening, and weekend availability
- Same-week appointments
- A flexible cancellation policy
- Remote and in-person counseling
- Affordable rates for those paying out of pocket
- Providers who accept most major insurance plans
You don’t need to wait any longer to get help. Schedule an appointment at Thriveworks in Normal, IL today to get started.
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