How to Cope with Anxiety and Stress—Counselors in Allentown, PA

Anxiety is a natural part of the human experience.  We worry about our health, finances, the world around us, our families, careers, and all other areas of our human experiences. Anxiety can be both physically and emotionally exhausting.  When it is untreated it can take over your thoughts and life and leave you feeling debilitated.  It can wear you down and take the joy out of your life that you deserve.   It can keep you from family, friends, new situations, and from achieving your hopes and dreams.  Anxiety can make it hard to breathe, think, and can feel like it is crushing you.

Do I Have An Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is not all bad.  It has a functional purpose and at times can be good.  Anxiety can help you stay on top of things, be more alert, motivate you, and be mindful of dangers around you.  However, anxiety that is maladaptive is more than feeling nervous before a big test or doing something new.   Maladaptive anxiety responses can destroy your personal and professional life because it can paralyze you.   Anxiety takes many different forms and there are many types of anxiety disorders including: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety, school phobia (often seen in children), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Each type of anxiety disorder can vary in its presentation from person to person.

You may have an anxiety disorder if you have any of the following symptoms that negatively affect your daily functioning:

• Excessive and persistent worry
• Restlessness
• Fearfulness and avoidance of people, places, or situations
• Panic attacks which manifest in physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack such as: rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, chest pain or shortness of breath, feelings of choking, dizziness or feeling faint, nausea or abdominal distress, headaches, weakness, trembling or shaking, or feeling of being detached from self
• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy
• Sleep disturbance
• Muscle tension
• Poor concentrating
• Feeling as though your mind is going blank
• Obsessive compulsive tendencies
• Physical ailments that don’t improve after care

Why Do I Feel Anxious?

Anxiety is very common and impacts millions of people’s lives all around the world.  You are certainly not alone.  Anxiety affects every age, rage, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class; anxiety is a no limit soldier.  Sometimes anxiety is hereditary and sometimes it is induced by stress or a traumatic event such as a car accident, violent crime, sudden loss, medical procedures, and more.  Often anxiety symptoms seem to come out of thin air.  Whatever the case is, the good news is that anxiety is highly treatable and research as shown on countless occasions that counseling helps.  Treatment includes helping you understand your anxiety symptoms and providing you with cognitive behavioral strategies and techniques to overcome it.  The techniques used can include mindfulness, relaxation techniques, gradual exposure therapy, establishing routines, or exercises to help you retrain your brain. Sometimes medication is indicated to help your brain get back on the right track. It is not uncommon to have the best treatment response when anxiety is treated in both the counseling format and with medication.

What can Thriveworks Allentown Do to Help?

At Thriveworks Allentown we have trained, experienced, and caring counselors to help you get your thoughts and feelings under control. We can give you the power tools and skills you need to take over this powerful force in your life. We can help you conquer these overwhelming feelings and once again experience joy and happiness in your life. We can help you finally find peace of mind so you can finally be free of anxiety symptoms. It is not uncommon to feel embarrassed to seek out help or admit that anxiety is a problem in your life. However, you can trust us to be your partner in combating these feelings and guiding you to a healthier mindset.

Call us so we can meet with you and help you get to the root of the problem before it gets more serious. We can help you find out what triggers your anxiety and what you can do about it. We know it’s hard to imagine a life without anxiety. Whether you are seeking help for yourself, your child, or a loved one, we are here to help. We are here to listen to your deepest fears when you are ready. Don’t struggle in silence any longer. We can help you get through this. Don’t let your anxiety keep you from the life that you deserve. Take over control and call now. You can change. Let our counselors help make that happen. We will try to get you an appointment within 24 hours!

Be a THRIVER!