Anxiety disorders can take several forms including obsessive thinking, panic attacks, or phobias. Whichever you are suffering from, you don’t have to let it take over your life. There are effective treatments available and professionals who can help you choose them, like the team of experts at Strategic Psychological Services in Warwick RI. They can discuss your treatment options for your anxiety disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Symptoms can differ widely between Warwick anxiety patients, so treatment should be tailored to your induvial diagnosis. Although there are different types of therapy treatments for anxiety, the most popular approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of CBT, whether alone or in combination with other therapies, is to reduce your anxiety levels and help you stay calm. CBT is most effective for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.
CBT has two components:
- Cognitive therapy: The focus here is on changing negative thoughts that trigger anxiety.
- Behavior therapy: The focus here is on changing reactions to situations that trigger anxiety.
The underlying premise of CBT is that it is your thoughts rather than external situations that trigger anxiety, so by changing the way you think in certain situations, you can regain control and stay calm. Your Warwick anxiety doctor may also recommend medications to help reduce your anxiety.
Complementary Therapies for Anxiety Disorder
Along with CBT and medications, several complementary therapies can help you control your level of anxiety. These include:
- Relaxation Techniques: Using techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation and meditation, you can ease your anxiety and improve your emotional well-being.
- Biofeedback: This therapy uses special sensors that measure your breathing, muscle tension, and heart rate to help you learn how to respond to anxiety by controlling these functions.
If you live in Warwick RI and you would like to talk to one of our experts about your anxiety disorder, call (401) 785-0040 to schedule an appointment with Strategic Psychological Services.