The Good and the Not So Good Sides of Anxiety
There is a reason we distinguish between normal and clinical levels of anxiety. At normal levels, anxiety is a good thing. It helps you plan, anticipate problems, and motivates you toward action. However, left unchecked, anxiety negatively impacts the quality of your relationships. Anxiety isolates us from those who mean the most to us. Life becomes a series of tasks and worries rather than a web of connected relationships. This is where anxiety treatment can begin to help.
For many, the relationship with anxiety is one of love/hate.
On the one hand, you may think it keeps you aware, safe, and productive. On the other hand, you sometimes wish you could turn it off and enjoy life. Many successful and high-performing individuals credit their success to their anxiety and ability to plan for catastrophes. This line of thinking fails to acknowledge that anxiety is a good thing, but at high levels, it can rob a person of joy and leave a wake of dissatisfying relationships in its trail.
Signs Your Anxiety is Too High
When does normal life stress escalate to anxiety levels that can benefit from therapy? One measure is time. If you have been experiencing anxiety and excessive worry for more days than not for at least six months, there is a chance you could benefit from therapy for your anxiety. Do you experience constant muscle tension? Are you easily fatigued, have difficulty concentrating, or are you easily irritated? These may be signs that anxiety had risen past helpful levels and could now benefit from therapy. Sometimes anxiety can be linked with depression.
There is a way out of the prison of anxiety. Don’t worry; learning to manage your anxiety won’t make you less effective in managing life’s complexity. You won’t lose your “productivity edge,” but keep your anxiety in check. You may, however, re-experience joy and freedom.
The “What If…” Game
A common thought pattern that anxious brains get stuck in is the cycle of “what if’s.” This thinking pattern is extremely distressing; without good therapy, this anxious thought process can be difficult to change. The what-if game is confusing and seductive. Confusing, because why aren’t others bothered by all the things that “could” go wrong? Why does thinking about all the potential problems and outcomes always fall on your shoulders? It’s seductive because, for many of the “what if scenarios” you can come up with, you are right; things could be bad. The seduction comes in by thinking that you need to keep thinking about it because it could happen and could be bad.
This never-ending cycle of catastrophizing and thinking may seem necessary, but we know it is also lonely and isolating. If you are ruminating or playing the “what if” game, it is time to reach out for therapy to help with your anxiety.
Anxiety Doesn’t Affect Just You.
When one family member suffers from the effects of anxiety, the whole family suffers. Parents, This is true for adults and teens who live with anxiety. Anxiety therapy isn’t just about learning to keep anxiety symptoms at manageable levels. Anxiety treatment in Georgia is about reclaiming your life and creating meaningful relationships with those closest to us. Sometimes we begin anxiety treatment for ourselves, our children, our spouse, our friends, and our future.
Sometimes we begin anxiety treatment in East Cobb or Marietta because of the problems it is causing us. Other times, we begin therapy because our symptoms affect the people we love. At East Cobb Relationship Center, we believe that each person is created for and deserves meaningful, respectful, and fulfilling relationships. Through therapy, we will work with you to remove the barrier that anxiety puts between you and those you love.
The Many Faces of Anxiety
Anxiety has many forms. It can range from a generalized worry about everything in life to anxiety that is limited to social situations. Anxiety manifests as a fear or phobia about a certain thing or situation. An overfocus on your health, or the health of those in your family can also be a type of anxiety. Our therapists in Georgia at East Cobb Relationship Center are trained to understand and treat your specific type of anxiety. We can help you build skills with Emotion-Focused Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Learn more!
Begin Anxiety Treatment in East Cobb and Marietta, or anywhere via online therapy in Georgia!
You don’t have to keep living with high levels of anxiety. When you’re ready to get started, we’re ready! You can learn more about our team of caring therapists by contacting East Cobb Relationship Center. Here are the steps you need to take to start anxiety treatment:
- Fill out the contact form below or email us at info@eastcobbrelationshipcenter.com.
- Next, one of our caring and competent therapists will respond to your inquiry within one business day to set up your appointment.
- Then, it’s time to begin healing and bring balance to your life and relationships.
Anxiety treatment in Georgia does more than teach ways to cope. Our Georgia therapist help to reshape your relationship with anxiety, whatever form it may take, and help you regain your quality of life.
Life is overwhelming. We are here to help.
Other Counseling Services
We know that mental health is important and the challenges many. Therefore, Anxiety treatment in Georgia isn’t the only thing that East Cobb Relationship Center offers. We also offer effective counseling for adults, teens, and young adults suffering from eating disorders, depression, compulsive sexual behavior, and enmeshed men. Our therapists also specialize in couples counseling, emotionally focused therapy, and affair recovery.