Anxiety
Over 40 million adults in the US are diagnosed with anxiety, making it the most common mental health disorder diagnosed. While everyone feels anxious sometimes, anxiety disorders are more than worry; they can hijack your thoughts, reduce your ability to feel present and joyful, and leave you feeling trapped or isolated.
Exploring Anxiety
How Does Anxiety Impact Everyday Life?
Treatment Options for Anxiety
Exploring Anxiety
People of all ages can experience anxiety, but symptoms typically develop in later teen years or early adulthood. Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias are all disorders that are housed under the label of anxiety. Some people experience an overlap with depression or trauma.
You do not have to experience all of the following symptoms described below to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The primary question to ask yourself is, how do these symptoms impact my ability to function at home, work, school, or in my family?
Symptoms can include:
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- Intense feelings of worry or unease that linger
- Trouble finding words or short term memory impaired
- Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
- Unable to finish tasks or limited concentration due to racing anxiety thoughts
- Increased restlessness or fidgeting due to feeling uncomfortable
- Stomach pain or gastrointestinal distress not attributed to a medical condition
- Rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and cold sweats
- All over tingling sensations or limbs going numb
How Does Anxiety Impact Everyday Life?
Chronic anxiety can lead to physical health problems, mental distress, damage to your school or career path, development of unhealthy coping strategies, and unsatisfying relationships. You might notice that you isolate and avoid social events to reduce your anxiety. This avoidance might work in the short-term to alleviate your symptoms – but it is not a long term solution.
If you’re making life choices based on your anxiety – you’ll feel defeated every day. It’s our position at Unity Therapy Services that you are worthy of a comfortable and engaging life that does not provide any space for anxiety to override your decisions.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
There are several options when it comes to managing an anxiety disorder.
Medication: Beta blockers, anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications, and psychedelic assisted therapies.
Individual Therapy: Evidence based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR). It’s important to have a strong alliance with your therapist. People with anxiety can struggle to share their pain so it’s helpful to find someone you feel comfortable with.
Combination of Medication and Individual Therapy: If you are considering medication – start by speaking with your primary care doctor or nurse. Medication is best when used in collaboration with individual therapy.
Live Fully — Don’t Let Anxiety Hold You Back
Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety may work in the short term, but it’s not a long-term solution. Life is meant for living in the present and anxiety will make every effort to stop you from doing that.
Personalized Anxiety Treatment Plans Designed for You
At Unity Therapy Services our experienced team uses collaboration and compassionate curiosity to find the right treatment plan for you. We’ll review your strengths and your schedule to find a treatment plan that works for you. Additionally, your therapist can teach guided relaxation techniques, provide sleep hygiene tools, and healthy lifestyle tips for reducing the physical impact of anxiety.
Unity Therapy Services is located in Temecula and we serve people in Riverside County and San Diego as well. To learn more about our team or our rates and fees click the links available. We have bilingual therapy available. You can request an appointment by clicking here or by calling our office at (951) 303-0006. Our office hours are 9 AM – 6 PM, Monday thru Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM. We look forward to hearing from you.