How to Manage Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a part of life for millions of people. For some, it’s a passing feeling that comes and goes. For others, it’s a constant struggle that impacts every area of their life. Learn how to manage your anxiety, so it no longer interferes with your life.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease and fear based on the belief that something bad is going to happen. When someone is anxious, they may feel tense, irritable, short-tempered, or fearful.
If you find yourself feeling anxious more often than usual, or if your anxiety seems to be getting worse, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems.
Anxiety disorders can range from a little mild to severe. They can affect your mood, your thoughts, your ability to make decisions or solve problems, and your ability to function in daily life
No matter where you fall on the anxiety spectrum, there are ways to manage your symptoms and live a better life. In this article, we will discuss the nature of anxiety, common treatments, and how to manage your anxiety in everyday life..
Different types of anxiety.
Anxiety disorders affect both children and adults. Children can have anxiety disorders, such as separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. Adults can have anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety disorders are chronic conditions of anxiety that interfere with normal function. Two of the most common types of anxiety are:
Generalized anxiety.
General anxiety is a broader term that refers to the feelings of worry and unease that we experience outside of specific situations. Many people who experience anxiety have general worries about their future, their past, or other aspects of their life.
Social anxiety.
When you are anxious about interacting with others, you may have difficulty making friends, or you may avoid social situations altogether. This type of anxiety is called social anxiety.
How to Manage Anxiety
Treatment for anxiety disorders includes:
changing negative beliefs about anxiety:
reducing the intensity of the anxiety, and identifying and removing the factors that trigger the anxiety. The following are also treatment options for anxiety: Counseling and Psychotherapy: A counselor can help you learn effective coping strategies.
Meditation: Relaxation through meditation and self hypnosis can be helpful in reducing anxiety levels.
Medications: There are medications that are used to treat anxiety. These medications are called anti-anxiety medications.
Counseling.
From counseling to hypnosis, there are lots of options for treating anxiety.
Some people find that counseling is helpful. For example, a counselor can help you learn how to control your thoughts and respond when anxiety sets in.
For some people, hypnosis can be very helpful. Hypnosis is a method of relaxation and concentration that can help anxiety. We often recommend apps for self hypnosis that are inexpensive and helpful.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is based on the idea that your thoughts and feelings influence your actions and that by changing the way you think about an anxiety-provoking situation, you can change your feelings.
Meditation
Meditation can help you learn to calm your mind and body. It can be practiced anywhere (except when driving or in similar situations that require your undivided attention). It allows you to take a break from the constant stream of thoughts and feelings that keep you up at night.
By practicing meditation regularly, you will learn to observe yourself and your emotions. You will be able to notice when you're feeling anxious, angry, or sad. You will also notice when you're feeling calm and relaxed. In this way, you will learn what leads up to your anxiety attacks, and also what to do about them to calm down.
Medications
Finally, there are medications that can be very helpful. They can help with the symptoms of anxiety. But they should not be used by themselves. Studies show that the use of medication without counseling is not effective in the long term.
The medications that are used to treat anxiety disorders are called anti-anxiety medications. The most commonly used anti-anxiety medications include:
Benzodiazepines. These are a group of medications that are used to treat anxiety.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are medications that are used to treat anxiety and depression.
In Summary,
Anxiety disorders affect 3 to 5 percent of the US population. These disorders are fairly common. There are effective treatment options that can help you better manage your symptoms.
If you or someone you know is suffering from excessive anxiety or you think you may have an anxiety disorder, it may be time to talk to a professional. Give us a call or send an email (908-857-4422) to learn how we may help you with your anxiety.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule your first appointment, click on the Book Now button. There you will find our availability for the next two months. You can select the day and time that work best for you. We are here to help. Anxiety does not have to ruin your life. Get professional help now so you can begin to feel better. To learn more about us: About Us To learn more about anxiety and depression: Anxiety and Depression Association of America