Anxiety disorder symptoms can be debilitating—panic attacks, anxious thoughts, and sleepless nights that appear right out of the blue. Fortunately, anxiety is a condition that’s highly manageable and treatable.
The most effective way to manage anxiety is to learn as much as you can about the available treatments and then tailor them to your specific needs. In many cases, working with a professional to determine the best fit is the best approach to getting great results.
The benefits of anxiety counselling
Medications can help with anxiety disorders in certain situations. However, therapy, either alone or in conjunction with standard medication, is by far the most popular intervention for many people. This is because therapy provides you with the tools and resources to make your anxiety manageable on your own.
Anxiety counselling is a type of treatment that can help you in several ways, including understanding what’s causing the anxiety and learning coping techniques. To add, here are other ways this type of treatment can help you:
1. By helping you find the root cause
Medication can help control anxiety symptoms, but ‘talk therapy,’ or counselling for anxiety can help identify the root cause that triggers them. If stress is becoming a problem for you, counselling can help you assess your symptoms and change how you react to your anxiety.
Anxiety can be triggered by a wide variety of factors, from certain situations, to mood or emotions. Unfortunately, that could also make it difficult to figure out which of these factors are causing anxiety attacks for specific individuals.
Talk therapy is tailored to suit your needs as a patient by allowing you to discover the true source of the issue. When you’re able to identify your triggers, your counsellor will then introduce you to new strategies to help keep your anxiety attacks in check. (1)
2. By providing a safe environment with no judgment
Counsellors chose their profession because they aim to help people overcome hardships, whatever those hardships may be. Anxiety counselling Vancouver provides a safe environment where judgment and stigma don’t exist. As a result, you’re likely to feel more safe, allowing you to share your true feelings and be yourself without any fear of being judged because of your struggles. (2)
The therapeutic relationship that you and your counsellor have helps create a holding space where you can work through your anxiety issues. It can also provide you with a new lens through which you can begin to see your problems from a different but healthier angle.
3. By helping you cope with lifestyle changes
Anxiety counselling assists you in discovering long-term options and solutions to deal with, and eventually, overcome your anxiety. This can also provide future tools and resources to help decrease the likelihood of suffering from anxiety in other circumstances.
Counselling can provide you with new stress management techniques to combat anxiety at its core and lifestyle and diet changes that are beneficial to both your mind and body. These new healthy habits can include not only a new, optimistic outlook, but also a different physical fitness regimen, mindfulness, and other healthy habits that can exacerbate anxiety. (3)
4. By making you feel you are not alone
Counselling is effective for treating anxiety because it allows you to express your thoughts and feelings. Having a stable space for connectivity can often make someone feel lighter simply by connecting and sharing their mental and emotional burden. This can help you understand that you’re not alone and have someone to talk to when needed. (4)
One common misconception about seeking help for anxiety is that you think no one will understand what you’re going through. So, instead of talking to family or friends, you may end up choosing to stay quiet and struggle in silence. Consulting with a professional talk therapist can help you feel supported in this challenging journey. (4)
5. By empowering you to regain your self-confidence
Anxiety disorders can sometimes undermine one’s self-esteem. Counselling helps gradually restore a patient’s confidence by allowing self-reflection and providing a deeper understanding of their own thoughts and feelings. It can help give you the skills, knowledge, and control over your behavior, feelings, and thoughts, eventually allowing you to live a healthier, happier life. (2)
During talk therapy, you’ll learn to gradually stop worrying over inadequacies and begin to learn skills that’ll allow you to start believing in yourself. Consequently, through active listening and talking, counselling can help you feel less burdened and gain the freedom to live your life to the fullest.
Final words
When your anxiety is already getting in the way of your day-to-day activities, it may be time to recognize your need for professional help. When looking for professional treatment for your concerns, consider how you and your life could benefit from anxiety counselling. Talk therapy offers several ways to help you overcome your anxiety.
References:
- “Anxiety Disorders”, Source: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders
- “Anxiety Therapy: 5 Benefits of Counseling for Anxiety”, Source: https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxiety-schmanxiety/2019/1/anxiety-therapy-5-benefits-of-counseling-for-anxiety
- “Anxiety disorders”, Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967
- “POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF COUNSELING”, Source: https://www.coe.edu/student-life/student-life-resources/health-wellness/mental-health-counseling/potential-benefits-counseling