4 Things That May Help You in Anxiety Therapy
If your struggle with anxiety is affecting your daily life, therapy can help. Every patient's anxiety therapy treatment looks a little different because there are no universal cures for mental illness. Instead, therapists strive to work with individual patients, meeting them where they're at and helping them develop tools to combat their anxiety. Here are four things that may help you during anxiety therapy:
1. Affirmation
First and foremost, you deserve to feel heard and respected in therapy. Therapy should be a safe place where you feel comfortable talking about whatever is on your mind. The root causes of anxiety aren't always immediately apparent. When you feel able to explore your thoughts with your therapist, they can help you figure out what's troubling you. Your therapist will strive to create a supportive environment by affirming your feelings and experiences during treatment.
2. Encouragement To Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
People with anxiety have inappropriate fear responses to harmless situations. Paradoxically, providing comfort is not always the best course of action. In the process of overcoming your anxiety in therapy, you will often feel uncomfortable. This discomfort can be a sign of personal growth. However, it's important that you don't push yourself too far or too fast. A good therapist will encourage you to expose yourself to your anxiety triggers gradually, in ways that further your healing rather than hinder it.
3. Anxiety Medication
Anxiety may be a biochemical response as much as a mental one. Some people may be genetically predisposed to anxiety. If you have severe anxiety and haven't found relief after several therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest trying anti-anxiety medication. Anti-anxiety medication can reduce the severity of your anxiety attacks. This can help you work through your issues in therapy with less discomfort. If your therapist is unable to prescribe medication, they may refer you to a psychiatrist who will help you find the type and dosage of medication that work best for you.
4. Treatment of Underlying Depression
Anxiety can be present with other mental illnesses. It's not unusual for people to experience both depression and anxiety. If you have untreated depression, this condition can fuel your anxiety disorder. Treating your depression can help you reduce your anxiety symptoms as well. Many anxiety therapists are also equipped to help patients who experience depressive symptoms. To get the help you need, be honest and forthcoming about all of your symptoms when talking to your therapist. For more information, contact a therapist near you, like Dr. Lynn Fraley LCPC.
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