Is Anxiety Counseling Right For Me?
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Is anxiety counseling right for me?
If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, or if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, then you may have asked yourself “is anxiety counseling right for me?”.
It is important to note that experiencing the signs and symptoms of anxiety from time-to-time is completely normal. Many people feel anxious, nervous, worried, or even unsettled at different points in their lives. These are common reactions to new events or difficult times in life. For example, many people report feeling anxious before giving a talk in front of a crowd, when participating in a new activity, or when sitting in traffic on their way to work. However, for those suffering from an anxiety disorder that requires treatment to feel better, these feelings of anxiety do not subside even once the temporary stressor is removed. In other words, those suffering from an anxiety disorder do not feel better even after the public speaking is complete, the activity is no longer new, or the traffic has cleared. Those who benefit most from anxiety counseling experience fear, worry, and uneasiness that impacts their daily life and activities.
So, how do you know if anxiety counseling is the right form of treatment for you? Since anxiety comes in a variety of forms, including general anxiety, social anxiety, phobia, and panic attacks, you may wish to speak with your doctor if you answer yes to one or more of the following questions. Your doctor will then be able to work with you to identify your symptoms, provide more information on potential courses of treatment, and help you get started with the one that works best for you.
You may wish to contact your doctor if you answer yes to one or more of the following questions:
- Do you worry excessively and/or on a regular basis?
As discussed earlier in this article, many people experience thoughts of worry at various points in their lives. However, those who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder are not often able to alleviate their anxious feelings on their own. This is where counseling can be a really useful form of treatment to help a person identify and manage the factors that contribute to their symptoms. - Do you experience feelings of restlessness? Is it hard to get comfortable or sit still?
Many signs of anxiety manifest as physical symptoms in the body. This means that many people suffering from anxiety often feel the effects of that anxiety in their muscles, energy levels, or ability to complete daily tasks. You may want to speak with your doctor if you experience tight muscles, restlessness, a pounding heart, shortness of breath, an inability to sit still, or irritability. - Are you often feeling fatigued?
Does it feel as though your memory has been impaired and/or your ability to concentrate has decreased? Do you tend to feel drowsy or weak throughout the day? Is it difficult for you to engage in daily activities? If you are nodding “yes” to these questions, then you may wish to speak with your doctor about whether or not you are experiencing anxiety and whether or not anxiety counseling could be a good form of treatment for you. - Has night time become a source of distress for you? Do you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up?
Do you find yourself up all night worrying about something in particular or even about everything all at once? Do you feel as though your mind is wired regardless of the time of day? If so, you may be showing the signs of anxiety and may benefit from counseling.
If you found yourself nodding along “yes” to one or more of these questions, or if any of your symptoms are impacting your ability to effectively handle day-to-day tasks, then it may be time to speak with your doctor. Anxiety counseling is an effective form of anxiety treatment that might be able to help you identify, manage, and/or alleviate your symptoms. Professionals are trained to diagnose the signs of anxiety and provide proper course of treatment, including effective ways to manage the factors that contribute to your symptoms. Such courses of treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, or family therapy. It is important to work with your doctor to find the treatment plan that works best for you.
References
- Anxiety Disorders. (March 2016). In National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml.
- Anxiety Disorders. In National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders.
- Anxiety Fatigue and How it Affects Modern Living. In Calm Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety-symptoms/fatigue.