Now that you recognize that you or someone you love is suffering from anxiety, you may be wondering what can be done about it. Is it most comfortable to just ask your doctor about prescription medications that may reduce your symptoms? Is talking with a therapist the best way to process what you are feeling, or can you just talk to a close friend? Are there any simple ways that you can change your lifestyle or routine to reduce your anxiety?
Medications
Chances are, if you talk with your primary care physician about your symptoms, they will ask you questions about your medical history and go through a psychological questionnaire to see if you meet the criteria outlined by the American Psychological Association. They may then diagnose you with Generalized Anxiety Disorder or a similar condition and prescribe a medication such as an antidepressant. Some people find that medications help them reduce their symptoms, but they do not get down to the mental or emotional root of the issue.
Therapy
The best way to dig down deep and learn some practical tools to help you live the life you want rather than the life you feel forced into because of your anxiety is by talking with a licensed therapist. Their vast experience helping others along their journey with anxiety as well as their training in areas such as cognitive behavioral therapy make them one of the strongest advocates in your own journey. While talking with close friends about your anxiety may be helpful and more comfortable because you are already familiar with each other, a counselor will be able to point you back to what is going on in your brain that causes your feelings and they can help you come up with a plan for reducing your symptoms and feeling better.
Lifestyle Changes
Your therapist may also suggest specific simple lifestyle changes that can be of assistance in dealing with your Anxiety therapists long beach. These suggestions can include a consistent exercise plan, integrating mindfulness into your daily routine, developing a healthier diet and perhaps cutting back on alcohol, smoking, and caffeine, and ensuring that you have a sufficient sleep pattern. By focusing on yourself in these ways, you may feel like you have a more healthy control over your life and the speed bumps that cross your path are not as drastic as they previously might have seemed.
You may also find strength in building a community around yourself. It is easy to become isolated in your battle with anxiety because you feel like other people will not understand, or they will downplay how you are feeling. By being honest with your family and friends and perhaps seeking out some new friends who suffer from anxiety as well, you may be surprised by their acceptance and support. Just knowing that you have family, friends, and your therapist to reach out to can calm some of the anxiety waves as they come into shore.
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