Some of the symptoms of Anxiety Disorder include:
Untreated, Anxiety Disorder can develop into Panic Disorder or Panic Attacks:
Panic attacks can cause you to feel like you’re going to have a heart attack. They can be so upsetting that people often end up in the emergency room.
Oftentimes people start trying to deal with their anxiety by self-medicating with alcohol or drugs. Or they may go to their family doctor with symptoms of anxiety, requesting he prescribe some medication. Mental health treatment for anxiety includes helping a person to learn to relax through exercise, meditation, breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness.
It is important to realize that dealing with anxiety involves a lifestyle change, not learning to do a specific thing that will cause the anxiety to go away. Often learning to be assertive with the other people around you helps a great deal with the symptoms of anxiety.
Learning to have gratitude and vulnerability is another way of dealing with the symptoms of anxiety. One quick method to deal with a panic attack is to go for a brisk 10-minute walk. But long term relief requires a lifestyle of learning to live a more serene life as opposed to an anxious life.
The length of time for treatment can vary depending on the family system you grew up in, how long have you been anxious, and who in your life is supportive of you living a more serene life.
We start with an evaluation of the duration and the intensity of the anxiety you’re experiencing. Let me look at what things you are willing to change in order to live a more serene life. Making lifestyle changes will help you maintain a less anxious state.
We meet once a week, especially in the beginning, and the appointments last for 1 hour.
Sometimes people have an intense traumatic event and the anxiety can be ameliorated in a couple of sessions. However most often people have a lifestyle of anxiety and this needs to be addressed considering many factors. “Good Times Anxiety” can be very addictive. This means a person enjoys times of intense anxiety like riding a roller coaster. These symptoms all tend to create long-term problems including physical symptoms that are detrimental for a person.
Medication can be somewhat helpful with anxiety, however the research is clear that if a person doesn’t change their lifestyle the medication loses its effectiveness.
Regular therapy will enable you to better understand the duration and the symptoms of the anxiety you’re experiencing. Therapy will also help you learn new ways to reduce the anxiety in your life through better life skills and anxiety management techniques.
I have 40 years of experience dealing with people who experience anxiety and panic attacks. We first look at how a person has developed the symptoms of anxiety, and what are they doing currently to try and reduce them the anxiety. Sometimes people use anxiety to motivate themselves to get things accomplished, however this creates difficulties in learning to live a more serene and fulfilling life.
Increased time relaxing with friends and loved ones
Reduction in Drivenness
Increase in positive thoughts about yourself and other people
Increased ability to enjoy your work versus obsess over your work
Increased ability to be at peace
Greater freedom from obsessing about other people’s opinions and wellbeing
The end result is to help you make step by step changes that result in a more fulfilling, enjoyable life.
Here’s my FAQ, or I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. When I’m in session it’s not possible to answer phone calls, so it’s best to call & leave me a detailed voicemail message at 253-952-4147. You can typically expect a reply from me within 24 hours.
You can make an appointment by emailing me, using the “Schedule an Appointment” form, or leaving me a voicemail message. I will reply as soon as possible.
© 2024 Counseling in Federal Way by Paul Croft LMHC Therapist