Stress and Anxiety Counseling in Maumelle, AR—Counselors and Therapists

Stress and anxiety are a normal part of our lives. Stress is the result of frustration, anger or anxiousness from a situation, and it usually stems from things we feel we can’t control. Anxiety is sometimes necessary as a response to stress or danger, and it can help people cope with stressful situations or work to solve problems. However, when we have stress and anxiety disorders, we may feel anxious and stressed every day for long periods of time.

Many anxiety disorders first develop in childhood and continue if they are not treated. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can show in children as young as three years old, but the average age of onset for anxiety disorder is 31. People who have anxiety disorders are more apt to acknowledge they need the help of professionals more so than individuals with other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia. But, statistics show that only about one-third of people affected with anxiety disorder actually receive treatment.

When stress and anxiety disrupt your functioning on a daily basis and keep you from enjoying a truly fulfilling life, it is wise to seek counseling. If you need help with anxiety or stress, Thriveworks Counseling in Maumelle, Arizona will work with you to help pinpoint the triggers that cause stress and anxiety, the ways to deal with it healthily, and lead you on a path to a more productive and enjoyable life.

Types of Anxiety

It is estimated that 70 million people have a type of anxiety disorder in the U.S., according to Psychology Today. The following are types of anxiety disorders.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder is when a person has uncontrollable worrying. An individual will worry about bad things occurring to him or the people he loves. Sometimes he may not be able to pinpoint where the source of worry comes from.
• Panic Disorder causes panic attacks, which is when a person experiences intense fear, a pounding heart, shortness of breath and a feeling of imminent disaster.
• Agoraphobia is when a person is acutely fearful of places and situations he thinks are dangerous and uncomfortable.
• Social Phobia and Anxiety causes significant feelings of anxiety when a person has to interact with others.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that brings flashbacks or anxiety that is caused by a traumatic experience.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the result of a person having repetitive thoughts or the preoccupation in completing ritual actions.

Causes of Stress and Anxiety

Most people have stress and anxiety from time to time. The most common reasons for stressors are:

• Moving.
• Having a sickness or injury.
• Having a friend or loved one with an illness or injury.
• Starting a new job.
• Moving to a new school.
• Experiencing the death of a family member or somebody close.
• Getting Married.
• Having a baby.
• Drugs with stimulants may cause the symptoms of stress and anxiety to worsen. In addition, caffeine, illegal drugs and alcohol can aggravate the symptoms.
• Prescription medicines, such as asthma inhalers and diet pills, can worsen the symptoms
• Symptoms of Stress

Stress and anxiety can affect every part of a person’s life, from emotions and behavior to the ability to focus and physical well-being. People handle stress differently, and the symptoms can vary. The following are some of the most common signs of stress and anxiety.

• Easily upset, frustrated and moody.
• Feelings of being overwhelmed and loss of control.
• Having a hard time relaxing.
• Having low self-esteem.
• Feeling lonely and worthless.
• Depression.
• Staying away from other people.
• Loss of energy.
• Frequent headaches.
• Chest pain and quickening heart rate.
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia.
• Headaches.
• Low or no sexual desire.
• Sweating excessively.
• Stomach upset (diarrhea, constipation and nausea).
• Getting colds frequently.
• Sweaty hands and feet.
• Clenched jaw.
• Dry Mouth.
• Hard time swallowing.
• Grinding teeth.
• Stuttering or stammering.
• Trembling lips and hands.
• Neck ache.
• Back pain.
• Muscle spasms.
• Rashes, itching and hives.
• Allergy attacks that are frequent and unexplained.
• Heartburn.
• Excessive belching.
• Frequent urination.
• Muscle spasms.
• Dizziness and light headedness.
• Frequent sighing.
• Nightmares and disturbing dreams.
• Racing thoughts.
• Difficulty in learning new things.
• Hard time making decisions.
• Crying spells or suicidal thoughts.
• Increase or decrease in appetite.
• Interest in appearance and punctuality diminished.
• Fidgeting and feet tapping.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Use of over-the-counter drugs.
• Weight gain or loss without being on a diet.
• Gambling or shopping excessively.
• Lying or making excuses to cover up poor work.
• Smoking, alcohol or drug use increased.

Treatment for Stress and Anxiety

When you feel on edge or even in full panic mode, it is a very troublesome state to live with. If you feel like you’re not able to cope with stress and anxiety and it is taking over your life, you are not alone. Many people experience stress and anxiety. The good news is that anxiety disorders are treatable, and many people who live with anxiety are able to work, go to school and have healthy relationships with friends and family.

The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks can work with you to teach you how to reduce the intensity, duration and frequency of anxiety attacks, as well as relaxation techniques to help you to manage stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is effective in managing anxiety. It teaches you to recognize the thoughts and behaviors that cause you to be anxious and how to turn them into more positive thoughts. In addition, Exposure Therapy and Systemic Desensitization can also be effective by exposing you to the things that trigger anxiety in a gradual manner, helping you to manage your fear.

If you are struggling with stress and anxiety, contact Thriveworks in North Little Rock, AR for an immediate appointment. We know that waiting for days, weeks or months to get an appointment with a therapist or counselor only exacerbates stress and anxiety.