Anxiety is Treatable, and Therapy Really Helps

Anxiety is highly treatable, but only about a third of those suffering receive treatment such as therapy. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18% of the U.S. adult population.

People with diagnosed anxiety are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor. They are also six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders. 

Therapy for anxiety may be for you if: 

• You feel keyed up and irritable, and it’s impacting other areas of your life. 
• Your sleep and/or eating are off track and nothing seems to be helping.
• Panic attacks (and fear of having panic attacks) have started to crop up, and may even be increasing in frequency. 
• You’re preoccupied by over-analyzing and worrying about things that are unlikely to happen. 
• You’re starting to avoid important things because they seem too stressful or anxiety-provoking.
• You are procrastinating more than ever, and it’s affecting your work performance or your relationships. 
• Your perfectionist tendencies are stronger than ever; you might be too conscientious, to the point that it’s hard to get things done “just right”. 
• You present yourself to the world as being fairly together, but you’re not sure how much longer you can keep up the act. 

Learn More about Treatment for Anxiety

For more facts about anxiety, check out this article at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America website. In addition to summarizing information about each anxiety disorder, the article provides links to information about various treatment options.

Overall, therapy and medication are the two most common ways of treating anxiety. Many people use both of these approaches to overcome anxiety. Research suggests that for many people, a combined approach can be more effective than therapy or medication alone. 

That said, therapy alone is highly effective at treating anxiety for many people. I have seen evidence for this in my own therapy practice, and the research also bears this out. 

There is not just one type of therapy for anxiety. It depends on several factors, including the type of anxiety you are experiencing, as well as the type of therapist you are working with. 

Reach Out For Help with Anxiety

One of my specialty areas as a therapist is working with people who are struggling with anxiety. Treating people with anxiety is rewarding, because therapy really helps.

In therapy, we work together to recalibrate your body’s response to situations and thoughts that are causing you anxiety. We also work to get to the root of what is making you anxious. I know personally how freeing it is to get out of that anxiety quagmire. 

There are ways to manage your anxiety that open up avenues for you to live with more calm, confidence and freedom. I have seen it happen time and time again, and I can’t wait to see it happen for you too. 

If you find yourself struggling and you want help, I encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional. Within a few months of therapy, you should expect to see significant progress in overcoming anxiety.