Challenges of Anxiety

It can feel isolating trying to deal with the symptoms of Anxiety on your own. Anxiety is a natural response to a dangerous or stressful situation - millions of people struggle with anxiety in the United States. Common symptoms of anxiety are shortness of breath, sweaty palms, and a racing heart. For those with an anxiety disorder, these reactions can be more intense, occur more frequently, and last hours, even days. 

Anxiety Disorders can be the results of a number of factors, including genetics (children of adults with an anxiety disorder have a higher risk of developing one), psychological (individual has a tendency to overestimate danger), and experiences (e.g. an embarrassing moment/traumatic event). 

Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental health illness in the United States -  40 million adults are affected by anxiety disorders each year, and yet only 36.9% of those who are suffering are receiving treatment.

Children also make up a large portion of people who are affected by Anxiety Disorders, with 21.5% of children aged 13-15 who have Anxiety Disorders. 

Transformative Growth Counseling has Counselors who specialize in treating Anxiety Disorders, and who will help work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. There are two common types of treatment for Anxiety Disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exposure Therapy.

CBT Addresses negative thought patterns and distortions in the way we look at the world and ourselves. CBT treatment involves 2 main components: Cognitive Therapy which examines how negative thoughts, or cognitions contribute to anxiety. Behavioral Therapy examines how you react and behave in situations that trigger anxiety. 

With Exposure Therapy, your therapist will guide you through confronting situations or objects that you may fear. Exposure Therapy is conducted in two ways: Therapists may ask you to imagine the scary situations or object you may fear, or they also may have you confront that object or situation that you fear in real life. The success behind this therapy comes from the belief that with repeated exposure to that perceived fear, the client will be able to develop a sense of control over the situation and your anxiety will diminish. 

The effectiveness of Exposure Therapy is shown between 60-90% of people who finish exposure therapy to have little, mild, or no symptoms after completing the treatment plan.