Anxiety
Anxiety is something you may deal with every day. But if your worries and fears are taking control of your life by interfering with your thoughts and activities on an ongoing basis, you may have an anxiety disorder. What are some signs of anxiety?
- Thoughts dreading bad things that might happen
- Avoiding feared activities, places, or people
- A racing pulse, possible chest pain, heart palpitations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath, dry mouth
- Trembling, muscle tension, shaking
- Hot flashes and sweating or chills
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
There are many forms of anxiety and The Family Psychology Place knows you need treatment tailored to your specific issue. Various healing styles and techniques are available to treat your disorder.
Yes, you can get medication for your anxiety, but this will likely only provide temporary relief. The Family Psychology Place knows that to truly help you with the healing process, you need treatment aimed at facing your fears. Anxiety disorders never completely disappear, but can be successfully managed with the right tools. Our psychologists help you understand the reason(s) the anxiety occurs and what to do when it arises, equipping you to handle the anxiety and live a full, happy life.
Treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This is often the first treatment we suggest; however, it will depend on your specific situation. We help you understand your thoughts and feelings, as well as how anxiety causes you to behave and react in various situations. Once you understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, you can learn to change the way you think which, in turn, changes the way you feel. The aim is to lower your anxiety levels, help you overcome your fears, and calm your mind.
- Play Therapy: Play therapy is a great way to help children manage anxiety. Children express themselves well through play. Our psychologists can recast children’s perceptions, behaviours, and cognitions from negativity to positivity. Interacting with children through play therapy allows them to feel secure and connected, turning anxious situations into enjoyable ones. We have child psychologists specializing in this type of treatment who can grasp the inner workings of your children’s minds and help you understand how best to support your child.
- Mindfulness: Become aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment through mindfulness. Through mindfulness techniques, our psychologists help you become aware of your anxiety without giving in to it. This allows you to understand when you have an anxious moment and know it will pass by. Allowing your anxiety to come and go like waves crashing in the ocean helps your mind achieve calm once more.
- Medication: When you have severe anxiety, medication in addition to counselling can help. Our psychologists can support you in determining if medication is right for you. We try to keep you on a natural path to confront and reduce your anxiety but depending on your circumstance, medication may be a helpful option for you.
- Psychoeducation: Our psychologists will provide you with helpful information regarding your particular issue. Understanding more about your problem is the first step to overcoming it. We use a variety of different strategies along with this understanding to help you heal.
How many treatment sessions of anxiety disorder therapy do you need? This depends on your situation. Many people see significant improvement in 8 - 10 sessions, but we are here to help you as long as you need. There are home remedies you can do in addition to your professional counselling sessions to further help provide you with a sense of calm. Your psychologist will inform you about the right home remedies for your situation.
Children, teens, and adults experience anxiety. Sadly, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health concerns among children today. What should you ask yourself when trying to figure out if your child needs help?
- What level of anxiety does my child appear to feel? (e.g., mild, moderate, severe)
- How long has my child been feeling anxious?
- How much is my child’s anxiety getting in the way of day to day functioning?
- How distressing is this anxiety on my child and our family?
If you are unsure about the answers to these questions and/or want further advice on your little one’s needs, contact the Family Psychology Place. You may wish to first contact your local physician. He/she might refer you to seek the services of a psychologist.
As a teenager or adult, you may be more able to understand if you need help on your own, but this can still be difficult to figure out. Come into The Family Psychology Place to get a feel for our space and ask for our help in assessing your needs.
We promise to help you feel happy, full of life, and void of negative thoughts in a nurturing environment. Our psychologists are here to listen to your every concern and will take the time to make you feel truly comfortable.
