Seeking professional help for Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
The textbook definition of anxiety; a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an upcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, it’s a human emotion. Anxiety is the price paid by people’s capacity to imagine the future.
Anxiety is essential to keeping us awake and alive, it is neither desirable nor feasible to eradicate it. The goal of treatment is to keep anxiety at manageable levels. Effective approaches include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Additionally, lifestyle habits like deep breathing and regular exercise are essential for managing anxiety.
When does anxiety become a disorder?
Anxiety becomes a problem when a person experiences it frequently or intensely. Some individuals struggle to regulate it, leading to persistent distress. Even though everyone processes emotions differently, the typical human being can let go of anxiety as soon as they experience the emotion.
When to seek professional help?
While occasional anxiety is normal, you are advised to seek professional help when you experience constant worry, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or difficulty functioning at work or in relationships. Other things to look out for are: avoiding social situations, relying on substances to cope, excessive worry or physical symptoms, which may lead to avoiding situations that trigger discomfort, further impacting quality of life. A mental health professional will help identify the root cause and help you develop effective coping strategies. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the right support, anxiety can become more manageable.
You Have Decided to Seek Professional Help—How Do You Determine the Best Therapist?
Seeking professional help is the best decision you can make to help cope with anxiety disorder, but finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming.
Finding the right therapist for anxiety starts with identifying your specific needs. Look for therapists experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, or Mindfulness-Based Therapy, depending on what suits you best.
Verify their licenses to determine whether they belong to the psychological or therapeutic fields. Consider whether you prefer in-person or online sessions, and check affordability, including insurance coverage.
During a consultation session, you can decide if you feel at ease with the professional. Trust your gut feeling, if a therapist doesn’t feel like the right fit, it’s okay to try someone else. The goal is to find a professional who makes you feel heard, understood, and supported.
Therapy may seem intimidating at first, but having a supportive person around sends a strong signal of safety, helping to calm the false alarms of danger that come with anxiety.
