When it comes to uncomfortable or difficult emotions, anxiety is one that nearly everyone can say that they have dealt with anxiety at least once in their lives. Whether it was before a big job interview, anticipating a big event, or meeting someone new, having a little anxiety now and then is a pretty normal part of life. But for some people, anxiety is not just an occasional experience; instead, it is something that they live with every day of their lives. At AIM: Advaita Integrated Medicine in Raleigh, NC, our goal is to help individuals properly treat anxiety through our comprehensive counseling services.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues in the U.S. today. Yet only an estimated third of people suffering with it seek the help that they need. How do you know if you have an anxiety disorder, and what can you do to help get your symptoms down to manageable levels?

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of dread, fear, or uneasiness about a task or situation. It can also manifest as physical symptoms as well. For some people, anxiety actually makes them better able to focus on the task at hand. People with anxiety disorders, however, find that it makes it harder for them to do or say things, to the point that it affects their daily lives. Some of the most common symptoms of severe anxiety include:

• Pounding or rapid heartbeat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Anxious thoughts or beliefs that you cannot control and do not go away easily
• Feeling restless or tense

The Different Types of Anxiety

Much as with other mental health conditions, anxiety does not just look like one thing for everyone. There are in fact several different types of anxiety disorders. Each anxiety disorder has its own unique symptoms and triggers.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Also called GAD, this is the most common type of anxiety disorder. People with GAD usually worry about everyday things, like work, school, their relationships, money, their health, etc. But these worries don’t go away, and often consume large amounts of time. GAD is diagnosed when these symptoms persist for more than 6 months.

Panic Disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which are sudden and severe periods of intense fear that are unnecessary. The attacks usually come on very quickly and can last for a few minutes to several hours.

Phobias

These are intense fears of things that don’t actually pose a risk to you or your well-being. While most people are afraid of something, such as spiders or clowns, people with phobias are so afraid that they avoid the phobia entirely, or risk having an anxiety attack when faced with it.

Social Anxiety Disorder

People with social anxiety disorder aren’t simply “antisocial.” Instead, they are so afraid of social situations that they actively work to avoid them so that they do not have anxiety symptoms.

What Does Anxiety Counseling in Raleigh Look Like?

When it comes to getting anxiety counseling in Raleigh, most people receive a combination of talk therapy and medication. This helps to ensure that not only are your symptoms treated, but you also have the opportunity to discuss your concerns with a mental health professional.

There are a few different medications that you can choose from during anxiety treatment in Raleigh. Both anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication can help ease your symptoms. Some people may only need to take these medications for a short period of time. Others benefit from staying on them for longer. Because there are a number of different options, it may take a few months to determine which is the most effective for you with the fewest side effects.

The second, and perhaps most important, part of your anxiety treatment in Raleigh is talk therapy or psychotherapy. By talking about your experiences with your therapist or counselor, you can learn to identify problematic thoughts and behaviors and adjust them to more healthy ones. Many people utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, as it has been shown to be very effective in treating anxiety disorders.

Start Anxiety Counseling in Raleigh Today

Getting help for your anxiety doesn’t have to be a difficult or complicated process. At AIM, our goal is to help each and every one of our clients reach mental wellness with proven treatment methods. Contact us today to learn more about our anxiety counseling in Raleigh, and get on the path to living a life that isn’t controlled by your anxiety.