Anxiety becomes a disorder when the symptoms become chronic and interfere with your daily life and your ability to function. If you suffer from anxiety you may experience the following:
Muscle tension
Physical weakness
Poor memory
Sweaty hands
Fear or confusion
Inability to relax
Constant worry
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
Upset stomach
Poor concentration
These symptoms may be severe and upsetting enough to make you feel extremely uncomfortable, out of control and helpless.
At Maesk Counseling, we use a technique called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reduce or eliminate symptoms and help you achieve a happier mental state. Through CBT, you will learn how your thoughts contribute to anxiety symptoms and how to change those thought patterns to reduce their occurrence and intensity. We will also use behavioral techniques to help you gradually confront and tolerate fearful situations in a controlled, safe environment.
Cognitive therapy strategies may include:
Monitoring your "self-talk"
Challenging unhelpful fears and beliefs
Testing the reality of negative thoughts
Some people may respond to treatment within a few weeks or months, while others may need more than a year. Treatment may be more complex if you have multiple anxiety disorders or if you also have depression, substance abuse, or other co-existing conditions. That's why treatment is tailored specifically to each individual. At Maesk Counseling, we prioritize a person-centered approach to ensure you receive the best care.