We all experience anxiety at some point in our lives. This is a normal human reaction to stress and worry. However, just like other health conditions, anxiety is treatable. If you’re looking for the type of therapy that will work for you, you are in the right place.
This blog post outlines several different therapies that might help you deal with any type of anxiety you may suffer.
The list will cover the most common ones, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, Art Therapy and much more!
Contact an anxiety therapist in Chicago or any other part of the world to help deal with such health issues.
Several Types of Therapies for Anxiety
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of psychotherapy focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, beliefs and behaviors.
CBT aims to help you learn new ways of thinking that reduce your anxiety symptoms. This can be done through a series of exercises in which you are asked to recognize and challenge negative thoughts about yourself or others, as well as unrealistic beliefs about how things will turn out in the future. Once these thoughts have been challenged, you can begin replacing them with more realistic thoughts.
- Exposure therapy
This is another type of psychotherapy that helps people overcome anxiety disorders by confronting their fears in a gradual way. You may be asked to do something that makes you anxious — such as going out into public or speaking in front of an audience — and then gradually increase the exposure time until it no longer makes you anxious. The goal is to help you build up your tolerance for fear over time so that it ceases to r trigger your panic attacks or other symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another type of CBT that focuses more on acceptance than change to help build self-confidence and foster hope for the future. This approach helps people learn skills such as mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises so they can better manage their anxiety symptoms.
- Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art to express thoughts, feelings and emotions. Art therapy may help people with various mental health problems, including depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders and other conditions.
This has also been effective for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Art therapy helps people who have anxiety disorders by providing an opportunity for them to express themselves through their creativity. It allows them to explore the themes that interest them most without any pressure or expectation from their therapist. This makes it easier for them to express themselves without feeling judged by someone else.
Complementary Therapies for Anxiety Disorders
Apart from the above-discussed anxiety therapies, there are some others that you may consider as complementary anxiety therapies, such as:
- Exercise
Exercise is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. The endorphins produced through exercise can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. For example, a brisk walk will get your blood pumping and boost your energy. You may want to try some yoga poses or Pilates exercises to help you relax and unwind.
- Relaxation Techniques
Everyone reacts differently to stress and anxiety, but there are some ways that everyone can relax when feeling tense. Relaxation techniques include deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques have been used for centuries to help people relax and treat anxiety disorders.
- Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a form of therapy where patients learn how to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate or blood pressure, through sensors. Biofeedback has been shown to be effective in treating many mental health disorders, including depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Panic Disorder.
Wrapping Up
Generally, there is no quick fix for anxiety. Overcoming this mental health condition takes time and commitment. Anxiety therapists in Chicago and other parts of the world, can help us to face our fears rather than avoid them.
