Anxiety

Anxiety disorders impact over 40 million people every year within the U.S. Though everyone may experience anxiety from time to time, anxiety disorders cause persistent stress or unease about even daily situations such as socializing with others, driving, or work. Left untreated, anxiety can significantly impact ones’ quality of life and ability to participate in activities that they used to enjoy.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by strong feelings of tension, worry, physical changes such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with anxiety disorders have constant intrusive thoughts or concerns.

Anxiety disorders come in a variety of forms from general anxiety to more specific conditions such as social anxiety or panic disorders. Anxiety develops from several compounding factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Many clients who are diagnosed with anxiety may also have co-occurring illnesses such as substance abuse, depression, or other mental health conditions.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

Nervousness, restlessness, and feeling like you cannot relax
Feelings of danger, panic, and dread
Rapid heart rate and breathing or hyperventilation
Increased or heavy sweating
Muscle twitching or trembling
Weakness or lethargy
Difficulty focusing
Insomnia
Digestive problems
Avoidant behavior
Obsessions about certain ideas

Treatment

At Thrive Counseling Services, we tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of the patient. We will carefully go over any symptoms you are experiencing, your medical history, and any other relevant factors such as life events and behaviors.

Common treatments for anxiety include individual or group therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and other various therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or electroconvulsive therapy.