Do you find that you worry too much or are nervous much of the time? Are you experiencing physical symptoms such as trembling, tense muscles, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, or even panic attacks? Do you struggle with racing thoughts or maybe you just feel generally “on edge?” Anxiety can interfere with your quality of life, but you’re not alone. Did you know that anxiety affects approximately 40 percent of Americans? Relief is possible! Treatment here at Deepwater Counseling involves helping you gain insight about your feelings and behaviors while learning stress management techniques and healthy coping skills.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
While anxiety can feel different for everyone, below are some common symptoms. Are you struggling with any of them?
- Chronic and uncontrollable worrying
- Feeling restless or “on edge”
- Sleep difficulties
- Trouble concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Easily fatigued
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Feeling self-conscious or anxious around others
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shallow breathing
- Excessive trembling, sweating, or blushing
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety can be brought on by a number of things, but it’s important to know that it is not your fault. Many people struggle with anxiety; it is not a character flaw or weakness, and you’re certainly not crazy! Check out some of the possible risk factors for anxiety:
- Genetics or family history
- Being female (women are more vulnerable to anxiety)
- Brain chemistry
- Trauma (e.g., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; traumatic brain injury; domestic violence; childhood neglect, etc.)
- Grief and loss
- Stressful life situations
- Substance use or abuse
- Certain medical conditions or medications
- Shyness in children
- Fears or phobias
Treatment for Anxiety
Anxiety is commonly treated with counseling, medication, or both. Our holistic, natural approach will look at how your lifestyle may be affecting your anxiety, and though counseling, we may tweak your sleeping, nutrition, and exercise habits to help you find maximum relief. We also use cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is a proven and effective treatment for anxiety that involves changing unhealthy thinking patterns and behaviors, using “talk therapy” to help you discover the causes of your anxiety and to explore them in a safe and supporting setting, and learning stress management techniques and other healthy coping skills including:
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness
- Guided meditation
- Providing medical referrals for medication (if needed) and monitoring your progress
Let Us Help
If you feel like you may be suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, social inhibition, fears, phobias, or any other of the painful symptoms of anxiety, please know that you don’t have to struggle alone. Let the compassionate counselors here at Deepwater Counseling help you find relief from stress and anxiety so you can live a balanced and fulfilling life. Contact Us Here to learn more or to set up an appointment.