What To Expect In Anxiety Therapy: Insight From An Anxiety Therapist in Atlanta, GA
Learn about the different types of anxiety treatments, their effectiveness, and how to know if they’re right for you.
When faced with debilitating anxiety, it can be intimidating to begin treatment. With a better understanding of what to expect from an anxiety treatment plan. As well as the process can become less daunting and more empowering.
Understanding the types of treatments available for adults dealing with anxiety is key. Key in beginning a pathway to living your life with peace and joy again.
In this blog post, we’ll explore various evidence-based interventions used at the Informed Therapy Group in treating anxiety. Ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to mindfulness meditation practices. We’ll also discuss how establishing realistic expectations around goals and outcomes are important. Especially when formulating an effective treatment program geared toward managing symptoms.
Finally, we’ll discuss strategies you can use on your own as part of a plan for reducing stress. As well as cultivating mind-body well-being throughout the course of anxiety treatment.
Understand the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders.
Anxiety is a common mental health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. But did you know that there are different types of anxiety? Here are the most common anxiety disorders we see at therapy at Informed Therapy Group. This list is not exhaustive.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
GAD is characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about everyday situations. Such as work, relationships, finances, health, and more. People with GAD often experience physical symptoms. Symptoms such as muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and irritability. The worry is ongoing. And it causes significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
Panic Disorder:
Panic Disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks. These are sudden and intense periods of fear or discomfort. It can cause panic attacks that can happen without any clear trigger and can last for several minutes. Physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations go with these attacks. People with Panic Disorder often avoid situations because they fear having a panic attack.
Social Anxiety Disorder:
Social Anxiety Disorder is the intense fear of social situations. Including meeting new people, public speaking, attending parties, or eating in public. People with Social Anxiety Disorder may experience physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, blushing, and nausea. It can be challenging to establish relationships or progress in careers due to this disorder.
Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in public places or situations that may result in panic, embarrassment, or helplessness. This includes a fear of enclosed spaces, open spaces, crowds, and public transportation. People may experience intense anxiety or panic attacks when they are outside their comfort zone. This leads to avoidance behaviors. Such as staying home, relying on others to run errands, or quitting jobs or schooling.
Specific Phobia:
A specific phobia refers to an excessive and irrational fear of a specific object, animal, situation, or activity that poses a minimal threat. Specific phobias can vary from the fear of flying to the fear of dogs, needles, blood, heights, health anxiety, or spiders. People with specific phobias may develop avoidance strategies. Such as refusing to leave their house or seeking reassurance.
The good news is that treatments are available to help manage anxiety disorders. These treatments include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and relaxation techniques. It’s important to understand the types of anxiety and the treatments available. Individuals can take steps toward finding relief and improving their mental health.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms That Are Associated With Anxiety.
While anxiety is a common mental health condition, recognizing the signs and symptoms of anxiety can be difficult to recognize or brush off. Some individuals may brush off anxiety because there will be highs and lows. So people feel better for a short period of time and may put off therapy as a result.
Here are Some of the Symptoms That May Show an Anxiety Disorder:
Excessive Worrying
Worrying is a normal part of life. But excessive worrying about everyday occurrences can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. This excessive worrying can be debilitating. Leading to trouble sleeping, nausea, intrusive thoughts, and general distress.
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear and apprehension that can occur without warning. The experience can be terrifying. People who experience panic attacks often report physical symptoms. Such as heart palpitations, sweating, shaking, and shortness of breath. Panic attacks can occur at any time and in any setting. They can lead to isolation and avoidance of everyday activities.
Avoidance Behaviors
People with anxiety disorders often engage in avoidance behaviors to avoid feeling anxious, fearful, or unmotivated. For example, a person with social anxiety may avoid social situations. Whereas a person with agoraphobia may avoid leaving their home. Avoidance behaviors can interfere with daily activities and lead to a decrease in quality of life.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety disorders can present with physical symptoms that may mimic other medical conditions. For example, people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may experience fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, and other physical symptoms. If these symptoms persist and are causing distress, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical causes.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disturbances are common among people with anxiety disorders. These can include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. A lack of restful sleep can lead to mood changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. If you are experiencing sleep disturbances, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical causes.
Learn How to Identify Triggers and Establish a Plan to Help Manage Anxiety-Provoking Situations.
Anxiety is a common issue that affects many people. Identifying what triggers these feelings can feel overwhelming. But it’s an essential step toward managing them. By pinpointing the situations, thoughts, or events that cause us to feel anxious, we can create a plan to handle them better. This could mean practicing relaxation techniques. Or developing coping mechanisms that work for us. Everyone experiences anxiety differently. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. But with careful consideration and effort, anxiety can be managed. Take the first step towards a more peaceful life by learning how to identify your triggers and establish a plan for dealing with them.
Explore the Various Forms of Psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy offers a safe and confidential environment to explore our innermost thoughts and feelings. By working with a trained anxiety therapist, we can learn to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior that may be holding us back in life. There are many different forms of psychotherapy, each of which has its own unique approach and techniques. Whatever type of psychotherapy you choose, the ultimate goal is the same: to help you achieve greater self-awareness and emotional health.
Anxiety disorders are a common and often overwhelming condition that can make it challenging for individuals to carry out their daily lives. Various therapies have been developed to help people manage their anxiety, allowing them to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Finding the right type of therapy that suits you can be tricky, so we’ve put together a list of different therapies offered at Informed Therapy Group.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT has become one of the most used therapies for anxiety treatment. Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, a therapist will work with the individual to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their anxiety and learn how to replace these with more positive and constructive ones. CBT encourages people to change the way they think and behave, which can lead to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a type of CBT designed to help individuals overcome phobias, panic disorders, and other anxiety disorders. The goal of exposure therapy is to gradually expose individuals to situations that they are afraid of, in a controlled environment. Through exposure to their fear, patients learn to confront their anxieties and lessen their fear response. This type of therapy can be intense, but it is effective.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a type of therapy that emphasizes the importance of being engaged in the present moment. This therapy teaches patients how to create a space between their thoughts and feelings, helping them release their negative and distressing emotions. Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga. In combination with other types of therapies, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for reducing anxiety symptoms.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a type of therapy that was developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, but it has also shown effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. DBT teaches individuals how to regulate their emotions and tolerate distress. This therapy provides patients with strategies to help them manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behavior, and communicate more effectively.
What Is Interpersonal Therapy?
As the name suggests, interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a form of therapy that focuses on interpersonal relationships. The idea is that the quality of our relationships can have a significant impact on our mental health and that by improving our relationships, we can improve our mental health. IPT is used to treat depression, but it can also be effective in treating anxiety.
One of the key goals of interpersonal therapy is to help you develop a better understanding of your own emotions and reactions. By doing so, you can learn to identify triggers for anxiety and other negative emotions and develop coping strategies to manage these feelings. You will also learn how to express your emotions in a healthy way, which can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and improve your overall mental outlook.
IPT is effective in treating physical symptoms of anxiety
Interpersonal therapy can also be effective in treating physical symptoms of anxiety, such as insomnia and muscle tension. By reducing anxiety levels, you may find that you’re better able to sleep at night and experience fewer physical symptoms of anxiety.
There are many different types of therapies that have proven successful in treating anxiety disorders. Each is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. However, finding the right treatment plan can improve a person’s ability to manage their anxiety and improve their overall quality of life.
If you are struggling with anxiety, talking to a mental health professional can be a great place to start. Our licensed therapists at Informed Therapy Group can help you determine which type of therapy will be most effective for your specific needs, and they can offer you the support you need as you work towards managing your anxiety disorder.
Find Out Which Relaxation Techniques Will be Most Effective For You. 
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, finding a relaxation technique that works for you can make all the difference. There are numerous options to choose from, including deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation. It’s important to experiment with different techniques and observe how your body responds to each one.
Some individuals may find that guided imagery is a powerful tool. Others may prefer aromatherapy or a soothing massage. Whatever relaxation technique you choose, make sure that it’s sustainable. Something you can incorporate into your daily routine. Remember, self-care is essential for overall well-being, and finding the right relaxation technique can help you stay calm and centered even during life’s most challenging moments. Our therapists at Informed Therapy Group will help you explore the different relaxation techniques and determine which ones fit your needs the best.
Develop healthy lifestyle habits to help reduce stress and prevent anxious feelings.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon to feel stressed or anxious. The good news is that there are healthy lifestyle habits you can develop to combat these feelings. Start by getting regular exercise – even a brisk walk can help. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, as a lack of sleep can make stress and anxiety worse. Practice deep breathing or meditation to help calm your mind. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, as they can increase feelings of anxiety. Finally, don’t forget to make time for hobbies or activities you enjoy – this can help take your mind off your worries and reduce stress. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can create a healthier and happier you.
What to Expect in The Treatment For Anxiety Disorders at Informed Therapy Group.
The first step in developing an effective treatment plan is to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder an individual is experiencing. This involves a comprehensive assessment of the symptoms, medical history, and other factors that could be contributing to anxiety (e.g., substance use, and other mental health disorders). These assessments are completed by one of our expertly trained therapists. This information is essential for identifying the most effective treatment options.
After the initial assessment, the individual will start therapy with the provider. Therapy is an essential component of treating anxiety disorder. At this point, the individual and the provider will determine the goals for therapy and the provider will help to determine the best treatment modality to address the specific symptoms. If medication is being considered, the therapist will help the individual explore this decision and provide appropriate referrals.
Along with therapy and medication, making certain lifestyle changes can also help manage anxiety symptoms. The therapist will discuss these options with the individual and work together with the individual to determine appropriate and realistic goals for making healthy lifestyle changes and setting boundaries.
Once we create a treatment plan, it’s essential to track progress. Follow-up care includes continuing therapy sessions. As well as evaluating whether lifestyle changes are having a positive impact. Open and honest communication between individuals with anxiety and their therapist is crucial for effective treatment.
Don’t Wait to Reach Out
Anxiety can be overwhelming and can stop us from living our best lives. But it is possible to reduce its effects. With an understanding of the different types of anxiety, their signs and symptoms, and possible treatments that could help, you now have information to help you start your journey toward managing your anxious feelings.
Remember to learn how to identify triggers and create a plan when facing anxious situations. Explore which forms of relaxation techniques will be most effective for you. Investigate what forms of psychotherapy are available. Devise healthy lifestyle habits to reduce stress. Finally, we encourage everyone seeking relief from anxiety to reach out to our team of trained therapists. Together we can take steps towards lessening anxiety’s impact on your life. As well as working through any existing challenges or roadblocks along the way.
Ready to Start Anxiety Therapy in Atlanta, GA?
If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, don’t suffer in silence. Seek the help of our trained therapists at our Atlanta, GA practice to get the support you need. With anxiety therapy, will we provide a safe and supportive space where you can learn effective coping strategies and techniques to manage your anxiety and improve your overall well-being. Don’t wait, take action today to start feeling better, follow these steps to get started:
- Contact Informed Therapy Group
- Meet with one of our skilled anxiety therapists
- Begin managing your anxiety in a healthy way and find relief!
Other Services Offered at Informed Therapy Group
At Informed Therapy Group we understand how important it is to find support for your mental health needs. In addition to anxiety therapy, our online practice in Georgia offers therapy for stress management, depression therapy, and therapy for grief and loss. We also specialize in couples therapy, pregnancy counseling, and postpartum therapy. To learn more about Informed Therapy read About Us, FAQs, and our blog!
