Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of being human. Yet, there comes a point when the everyday anxiety you might experience because of stressors becomes unmanageable, chronic, and difficult to cope with.
If you are reading this and feel like your anxiety is hindering your ability to function with ease in your everyday life, it could be time to seek help from a therapist who can help you navigate healing.
How Anxiety Manifests
Anxiety manifests differently for each individual. The causes and resulting experience of anxiety can be different for you than they are for someone else. Although anxiety is experienced differently, most individuals share common symptoms such as;
- racing thoughts
- increased body temperature
- irritability
- inability to rest, sweaty palms
- tingling body parts
- tense muscles
- nausea
- trouble sleeping
Building awareness around what anxiety is like for you is an important part of beginning the healing process.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety
There are many different ways to approach the treatment of anxiety. One common and well-reputed treatment for anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on identifying how your anxious thoughts, which are often distorted, influence your emotions and the actions you take because of those feelings.
A therapist can support and guide you as you learn to identify cognitive distortions that impact your ability to regulate emotions, shift the way you perceive your thoughts, and take actions in alignment with your values and goals. All of these outcomes can help you manage and lessen anxiety.
Befriending Anxiety Through Therapy
Regardless of the type of therapy you engage in to treat your anxiety, the common thread among all treatments is empowering you to learn how to respond to certain emotions you are experiencing rather than react to and spiral with them. CBT can teach you that, although your thoughts and feelings are valid, they are not always true, and they do not have to control you.
Beginning to respond rather than react to emotions and identify cognitive distortions before you spiral can create space for you to take actions that are in alignment with your authentic self, values, and goals rather than those that stem from your anxiety.
Anxiety can be a debilitating experience before receiving evidence-based and holistic treatment for it. There are many different ways to approach healing anxiety, and CBT is a great place to start. At Avalon Malibu, our therapists are trained in CBT and are here to meet you where you are and guide you in ways to manage your anxiety. This mental health concern does not have to control you. We can help you overcome anxiety, no matter where it comes from. Call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
