Therapy for Anxiety in Chesapeake, VA—Counseling

Many people take having clear, positive thoughts for granted, but for the over 40 million Americans who have an anxiety disorder, staying focused and positive takes herculean strength. People who fight anxiety frequently experience…

• Feeling nervous or worried or anxious, even when they do not know why.
• Loved ones who do not get the toll these emotions take on their mind and body.
• Never-ending, difficult emotions like anxiety. They rarely have a break from the burden.
• Isolation and loneliness because of their anxiety.
• A constant dialogue with themselves that focuses upon their insecurities, fears, and vulnerabilities.

All people experience a worried feeling that rises and falls naturally. Anxiety disorders distinguish themselves from this normal feeling through their severity and longevity. Jodi Picoult describes its disruption, “Anxiety’s like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far.” There are ways to get up and out of that rocking chair. There are treatments for anxiety; however, only approximately a third of people with an anxiety disorder receive the treatment they desperately need.

If you are experiencing unfocused thoughts, constant worry, or isolation because of your anxiety, you are not alone. You may have an anxiety disorder, and there are treatment options that may help you. Thriveworks Chesapeake has worked with many people who are plagued by an anxiety disorder, and we love helping them find treatment and relief.

Anxiety: What Is It?

“A crust eaten in peace is better than
a banquet partaken in anxiety.” —Aesop

Anxiety is a very personal mental disorder, and it can come in a variety of forms. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health, Fifth Edition recognizes many different ways that anxiety can show itself. A few examples include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – is what most people think of when they talk about anxiety. It involves a persistent and severe feeling of worry and anxiety that lasts for a minimum of six months and is experienced on more days than not and for a majority of those days. This anxiety is often accompanied by irritability, fatigue, restlessness, and more.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) – anxiety can also look like fear of social interactions. Many people avoid interacting with other people, particularly strangers. They feel extreme embarrassment and as if people are judging them. SAD often leaves people feeling isolated and alone.
• Panic Disorder – a panic attack can arise without warning, and they can escalate to the point that people feel as if they will die. The symptoms then subside without a few minutes of the attack’s onset. People’s hearts may race, their limbs may go numb, they may struggle to breathe, and they may experience chills or hot flashes. If these attacks recur, an individual may have panic disorder.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – the stress and anxiety people experience during a traumatic event can linger with them. PTSD is often associated with veterans, and for good reasons, but people can experience PTSD after any kind of trauma. They may experience instructive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks that force them to relive the event. They may also feel the same intense emotions they felt during the event after the event has ended.

The Physical and Emotional Cost of Anxiety

Anxiety extracts a high cost from people. It can affect people’s mental and physical health, and common side effects include…

• Disrupted Appetite – People may want to eat all the time, or they may have difficulty eating anything at all when they are experiencing anxiety. Understandably, when someone has anxiety, their weight may fluctuate as well, reaching an unhealthy high or low level.
• Irregular Sleep Patterns – As with appetite, anxiety can cause people to want to sleep all the time, or they may develop insomnia. They may be unable to wake rested, fall asleep quickly, or sleep through the night.
• Fatigue – Fighting any illness is draining, and anxiety is no different. A lack of energy is a common side effect. Normal activities can leave people who have anxiety exhausted.
• Difficulty Focusing – Negative thoughts can dominate an individual’s mind when they have anxiety. Channeling positive thoughts upon accomplishing a task can feel impossible. Discouragement and distraction are common companions to those with anxiety.
• Indecisiveness – When clear thinking is difficult, it follows that decision-making is also difficult. People with anxiety often describe themselves as feeling stuck. Daily decisions and normal cognitive processes are infinitely more difficult when an individual has anxiety.

Scheduling Counseling for Anxiety through Thriveworks Chesapeake

When you read about the different forms that anxiety can take, did anything stand out to you? If you recognize some symptoms in your own life, know that help is available. The counselors, psychologists, and therapists at Thriveworks Chesapeake have helped many of their clients find the right diagnosis and the right treatment. We are ready to help.

When you contact our office, here are a few ways we are ready to pitch-in. Your call will be answered by a person—one of our scheduling specialists who will help you make an appointment. Your first appointment may even be the following day. We will not put you on a waitlist because we don’t have one. But we do offer evening and weekend sessions. We also accept many forms of insurance. We know that fighting anxiety is tough—scheduling therapy should not be.

Let’s work together against anxiety. Call Thriveworks Chesapeake today.