Anxiety Therapy

Is an anxiety disorder a real mental illness? 

 Everyone experiences anxiety at one time or another. Anxiety is a part of being human.  For example, you might feel anxious before giving a big speech, but the feeling of anxiety can also motivate you to prepare and practice. Anxiety is a normal reaction that’s meant to grab our attention and motivate us to work harder toward a goal or warn us of a potential threat. 

 However, if you find yourself experiencing excessive worry, fear, and intrusive thoughts to the point where it is impacting your daily life, you may need therapy for your anxiety to cope.

 Don’t worry, you’re not alone

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. An estimated 40 million adults in the U.S. (18%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience an anxiety disorder. Most people develop symptoms before age 21." 

Can anxiety cause other illnesses?

Chronic stress can contribute to illnesses such as heart disease and digestive problems. High levels of stress can cause deficiencies in your immune system, which can lead to illness. When you are having physical symptoms, it is always important to see your doctor, even if you believe it is caused by stress. Your doctor will do an examination and determine if there are underlying medical conditions.

What Causes anxiety in children?

Several factors play a role in children’s anxiety, including:

• Gender – girls have a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders, and some studies show they’re up to twice as likely as boys to have the condition.

• Genetics – anxiety often runs in families. Children of parents who have anxiety disorders are seven times more likely to develop the condition. And experts say 65% of children living with anxious parents meet the criteria for anxiety disorder.

• Brain chemistry – the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine are involved with many body functions, including mood and emotion. Imbalances in these chemicals can cause anxiety and depression.

• Temperament – children who are cautious, fearful, shy and tend to avoid people, objects or situations are more prone to developing anxiety disorders.

• Environment – traumatic events like divorce, illness or death in the family can trigger anxiety in children. Additionally, family members who are noticeably anxious or stressed can increase children’s anxiety.

What to expect from anxiety therapy

Treatment for anxiety is not one-size-fits-all.  Every client is unique. Treatment may include individual counseling, group counseling or both.  The goal is to begin by identifying the sources of your anxiety and your triggers.  We will work collaboratively to identify your goals and develop a treatment plan to address your goals both in-session and out of session.  We utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution focused therapy (SFT).  

Do I have to be on medication?

Some people do take medication to manage their anxiety, but that decision is based on each client’s treatment plan.  

How do I know if I have an anxiety disorder?

There are many different types of anxiety, each with specific symptoms. Because anxiety is a medical condition, it must be diagnosed by a medical professional. If your fears are keeping you from looking for work, holding a job, or interfering with any other daily activities, it is probably time to talk to a therapist.