Anxiety disorders are very common, affecting millions of people in the United States. If you are one of the many people who suffer from an anxiety disorder, you know how debilitating it can be. The good news is that there is help available. Therapy for anxiety disorders can be very effective in helping you to manage your symptoms and live a normal, productive life. In this blog post, we will discuss what therapy for anxiety disorders is, and how to get the help you need.
What is Therapy for Anxiety Disorders?
Therapy for anxiety disorders is a type of counseling that can help you to manage your symptoms and live a normal life. It involves meeting with a therapist on a regular basis to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to your anxiety. Therapy can be very helpful in teaching you how to cope with your anxiety, identify triggers, and develop strategies for managing them.
How do I Get the Help I Need?
If you are interested in seeking therapy for an anxiety disorder, the first step is to talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders. You can also search for therapists online or through directories such as Psychology Today.
Once you have found a therapist, the next step is to schedule an appointment. Most therapists will want to meet with you for an initial assessment to determine if therapy is the right treatment for you. If it is, they will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
The Cost of Therapy for Anxiety
Therapy can be expensive, but many health insurance plans cover at least some of the cost. If you don’t have insurance, or if your insurance doesn’t cover therapy, there are still options available to you. Many therapists offer reduced-fee or sliding-scale services based on your income. You may also be able to find free or low-cost counseling through community mental health centers or religious organizations.
Therapy for anxiety disorders can be very effective in helping you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you think therapy might be right for you, talk to your doctor or therapist about getting started.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, don’t suffer in silence. Therapy can help you get the relief you need. Talk to your doctor or therapist today to find out if therapy is the right treatment for you.
Types of Therapy for Anxiety
There are many different types of therapy that can be effective for treating anxiety disorders. Some of the most common therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and medication.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on how your thoughts and behaviors affect your mood and emotions. CBT can be very helpful in managing anxiety disorders. During CBT, you will work with a therapist to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety. CBT helps people identify and understand their negative thinking patterns so they can be replaced with more realistic ones.
You’ll be taught how to think more realistically during this process. For instance, you might do a lot of “black-and-white” thinking where all things seem either good or bad; however, it’s important for therapists and coaches alike (in my opinion) that we replace these perspectives with shades in between instead.
The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to teach people how they can use their coping skills in the face of fear, panic, and worry. These techniques will help you identify what triggers those feelings so that they don’t have as much power over your life!
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that cause you to fear or anxiety. This type of therapy can be very helpful in managing anxiety disorders. During exposure therapy, you will work with a therapist to identify and face the fears or situations that cause you anxiety.
During exposure therapy, your therapist will gradually expose you to anxiety-producing objects or situations. This is often done using a technique known as “systematic desensitization,” which consists of three steps:
- Relax: Learning to relax is one of the best ways you can combat your anxiety. You will be taught various relaxation methods, like progressive muscle relaxation or deep breathing exercises for example – all of which help generate calmness in body and mind.
- List: The list of triggers can vary for every person, but you want to rank them in terms of intensity.
- Expose: The final step is to slowly work your way through the items on this list, using relaxation techniques when necessary.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps people who have trouble managing their emotions. It was specifically designed for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but can be helpful for anyone with intense emotions.
DBT teaches mindfulness and distress tolerance skills, as well as how to regulate emotions. If you’re interested in trying out DBT, your therapist will likely give you a workbook to do at home.
DBT treatment teaches four powerful skills:
- Mindfulness: Being aware of the present moment without judgment
- Distress tolerance: Managing difficult emotions without reacting impulsively
- Emotion regulation: Learning to change how you feel, rather than trying to get rid of your feelings altogether
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Developing healthy relationships and effectively communicating with others
Medications Used For Anxiety
There are a number of medications that can be used to treat anxiety disorders. Some of the most common include:
- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
- SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
- Benzodiazepines
- Buspirone
It is important to talk with your doctor about which medication might be best for you. He or she can help you find the treatment plan that works best for you.
What to Expect From Therapy
Therapy for anxiety disorders can be very effective. It can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and live a more productive life. However, it is important to remember that therapy takes time and effort. You will need to attend sessions regularly and work on homework assignments between sessions.
The therapist will likely ask you a lot of questions about your symptoms and how they are impacting your life. He or she will also ask about your personal history and any other mental health conditions you might have. This information will help the therapist develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
How to Make the Most of Therapy
- Attend sessions regularly and do the homework assignments between sessions.
- Be open and honest with your therapist.
- Let your therapist know if you are not making progress or if the therapy is too difficult.
- Give yourself time to see results from therapy. Therapy takes time and effort.
- Implement healthy lifestyle choices in your day-to-day life.
- Reduce anything in your life that increases your stress or anxiety.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Next Steps Professional Counseling is here for you if your anxiety has caused any problems in day-to-day functioning. We can provide a treatment plan, which will help cure symptoms and manage the disorder properly!
