How to Know When Your Anxiety Requires Professional Help

In most circumstances, anxiety is just a normal response to stress. However, anxiety can get out of hand and cause physical and psychological harm if left untreated. That’s when it’s time to seek professional help.

The therapists and psychologists at Thriving Center of Psychology have vast experience in helping clients overcome anxiety to live meaningful and happy lives. These professionals offer various treatments to keep your anxiety in check and reduce its impact on your daily living.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is an emotional reaction that often results in feeling fretful or nervous. When you experience anxiety, your body senses potential danger and triggers a fight-or-flight response. As a result, your brain instigates an adrenaline rush throughout your body that can lead to sweating, increased heart rate, and heightened arousal or alertness.

With an anxiety disorder, your body becomes accustomed to activating this flight-or-fight response even when there’s no danger. Instead of preparing to deal with actual or anticipated threats, you’re simply left with unnecessary adrenaline boosts. These reactions cause excessive fear and take away your ability to control your behaviors, thoughts, or emotions.

People with generalized anxiety disorder regularly feel nervous or fearful for no specific reason. As an umbrella term, anxiety includes other conditions:

• Social anxiety
• Drug or alcohol addiction
• Phobias
• Panic disorder
• Separation anxiety
• Depression

Signs of Anxiety Disorder

An anxiety disorder typically causes restlessness and irritability. Sufferers might also have difficulty concentrating or controlling recurrent, negative thoughts or self-talk. Because of this nonstop worrying, you may have trouble falling or staying asleep at night.

If your anxiety keeps you from managing your behaviors and emotions appropriately, it’s probably time to reach out to Thriving Center of Psychology for help. The Center’s team recommends scheduling an appointment if you notice specific symptoms or signs:

• Inability to work
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Avoidance of social events
• Disinterest in hobbies and pleasurable activities
• Self-harm
• Thoughts of suicide

Treating Anxiety Disorders

At Thriving Center of Psychology, your therapist or psychologist can develop an anxiety treatment plan to meet your specific needs. This plan will likely include a combination of therapies:

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Neurofeedback training
• Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET)

You’ll work closely with a qualified mental health provider to identify and manage your anxiety symptoms with confidence. Your treatment plan will help you restore your mental and physical health with strategies to steady your moods.

If your anxiety is overwhelming you and diminishing your quality of life, you can turn to the psychology team at Thriving Center of Psychology. Schedule an appointment today by going online or calling the office directly. Your sessions can take place in person or through online video teletherapy.