Anxiety

Is therapy something that can help?

Control, in many regards, equals power over the situation, person, or a thing to many individuals. “Let me take control over the situation” is relatable to many who experience in-the-moment stress. When an individual experiences an initial wave of anxiety, an understandable response would be to make attempts to try to control the symptoms. An instinctual reaction is a natural response when someone senses a perceived threat. The action is understandable and, in this regard, normal. Normal in the matter of taking action in an effort to preserve one’s own well-being. This is natural. In fact anxiety itself it necessary—the response mechanism of anxiety, arousal and vigilance, assists us as animals to sense danger, and in doing so, survive. Looking at arousal responses from the perspective of natural and necessary can help in placing the feelings of worry into context. Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming number of people who suffer with unhealthy anxiety. We can help! Identifying early sensory warning signs, implementing coping strategies, and normalizing the experience can be effective ways to roll with sensations of anxiety rather than resisting and struggling in the state.

What are some of the signs and symptoms of unhealthy anxiety?

• Difficulties sleeping (falling or staying asleep)

• Feelings of danger, panic, or dread

• Racing thoughts

• Trouble concentrating

• Rapid heart rate

• Rapid breathing, or hyperventilation

• Increased or heavy sweating

• Trembling or muscle twitching

• Nervousness, restlessness, or being tense

What are some causes of anxiety?

• Thought projections and racing thoughts

• Self-defeating cognitions

• Surviving a traumatic event

• Bullying or harassment

• Learned and observed behaviors from childhood

• Fear of losing something or not gaining something

• An inability to regulate emotions (continual firing of cortisol and adrenaline)

• Discrimination

• Work stress

• Social phobias and fears

How can New Paths Counseling help?

At New Paths Counseling, we take the approach to regain a sense of balance through rediscovering, learning, and incorporating self-care/self-regulation as a means to establish a foundation with grounding techniques, mindfulness, sensory and self-awareness. The foundation is critical when addressing symptoms of anxiety. First, establishing a foundation helps to feel some release from the seemingless powerlessness often accompanied by symptoms of unhealthy anxiety. Second, developing an ability to self-regulation allows for areas within the brain designed to alert and protect, such as the amygdala, “go off line”, while allowing areas such as the prefrontal cortex to “light up”. Once this is established over our initial sessions, working on the here-and-now, as well as, the origins of distress takes place.

Psychotherapy can help:

• Regain a sense of freedom

• Address fears and develop awareness

• Overcome social and group worries

• Develop new perceptions of self and of environment

• Restore healthy sleep cycles

• Experience balance

• Reduce a felt “need to control”

• Lowering high blood pressure and tension

• Reduce stress

• Strengthen self-appreciation

Support helps overcome worry. Taking one step is an action.

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