For anyone who struggles with anxiety disorder or panic disorder, therapy for anxiety can be an attractive option. But many individuals are unsure how effective therapy for anxiety actually is, how to get anxiety medication, or where to start on their journey to treating their anxiety symptoms. If that sounds like you, you are not alone.
Therapy for anxiety can be an incredibly effective tactic in learning different coping skills, managing your symptoms, and living a more fulfilling life. Let’s dive into how therapy can help anxiety and what you should expect when you work with a licensed behavioral health professional to address your concerns about anxiety.
Does Therapy Work for Anxiety?
By itself or in combination with medication, therapy can work well for managing anxiety. Anxiety comes in many different forms and can impair a person’s ability to function effectively at school, during work, during social situations, or in other scenarios. But luckily, the symptoms of anxiety can be treatable and those who struggle with anxiety disorder can learn to manage these symptoms through therapy for anxiety.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners who specialize in behavioral health have received training to become experts at diagnosing anxiety disorders and helping their patients find healthy and effective ways to cope with anxiety. One popular tactic is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), in which patients work with behavioral health professionals to identify and manage the variety of factors that contribute to their anxiety.
Those with anxiety can work with nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, or psychologists to learn how to change the thought patterns of anxiety. Through doing this, individuals have a chance to reduce the frequency and intensity of their anxiety symptoms.
Does Therapy Help Anxiety and Depression?
Therapy has been shown to help ease the symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Anxiety disorders are not the only behavioral concern that can be addressed with the help of therapy tactics like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder can also benefit from therapeutic interventions. The symptoms that go along with these disorders can see marked improvement from even just a few sessions of therapy.
After several months of psychotherapy or other treatment from a behavioral health professional, many people who previously struggled with anxiety see a real change in their symptoms. Although improvement can occur relatively quickly with the help of psychotherapy, that does not necessarily mean that you need to stop attending therapy sessions after just a few months. On the contrary, many people choose to continue going to therapy sessions for the positive effect that they have on their overall mental health.
As you explore therapy for anxiety, keep in mind that CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is not the only type of solution that can work. Other types of therapy, such as mindfulness-based therapy and exposure therapy have also proven to be successful in treating anxiety. In fact, Carespace reports that between 60% and 80% of people with anxiety who underwent therapy experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms.
How Does Therapy for Anxiety Work?
Therapy for anxiety helps individuals who struggle with anxiety disorder learn skills to manage their symptoms and get to the bottom of the root causes behind those symptoms. Some of the symptoms that therapy for anxiety can address include…
Feeling panic, fear, dread, or uneasiness
Feeling irritable or constantly on edge
Obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive actions
Difficulty concentrating and/or restlessness
Overwhelming or constant worrying
Intrusive thoughts
Social anxiety
Specific phobias or fears
Agoraphobia, or the fear of new places and/or situations
Separation anxiety
And more.
In addition to reducing these symptoms of anxiety, therapy can offer a number of other benefits to those who are struggling with anxiety disorder. Your therapist or mental health nurse practitioner can help with coping skill development, improving self-esteem, expanding problem-solving abilities, and enhancing resilience as you deal with the stressors of life. Perhaps most importantly, therapy offers individuals a safe and private space to explore their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Therapy for anxiety helps those with this mental health concern address negative thought patterns and behaviors in a way that encourages anxiety symptom management. If you or someone you know, such as a friend or loved one, is struggling with anxiety, it might be time to explore the benefits of psychotherapy as you work toward managing this condition.
How to Get Anxiety Medication
If you are wondering how to get anxiety medication or how anxiety medication can be a complement to the benefits of psychotherapy for anxiety, you are in the right place. If you are interested in taking medication to help manage your symptoms of anxiety, you should begin your journey by consulting with a behavioral health professional.
That person can help diagnose your behavioral health concerns and work with you to formulate an individualized treatment plan. Your healthcare provider can even help you navigate insurance options and discover which anxiety medications are the best fit for your individual needs. Medication management is an ongoing process and requires consistent monitoring and evaluation of the medication you are taking as well as its successes, drawbacks, and side effects in order to find the ideal option for your needs.
How to Find Therapy for Anxiety Near Me
If you are struggling with anxiety, there are options to get help. At Triumph Behavioral Health, for example, we serve Maryland residents in and around Baltimore County. In every state, there are different requirements for being a licensed therapist or nurse practitioner healthcare provider – so it is important to look for someone who is certified in your state. If you are located in Maryland, consider our Maryland wellness center as an option for your anxiety therapy needs.
Get in touch with our team at Triumph Behavioral Health today. We will work with you to build a plan that meets your needs, whether you are looking for psychotherapy, medication management, or other therapeutic techniques. Schedule your appointment today – at Triumph, we care.