Online Counseling for Anxiety in San Antonio, Texas

What is Anxiety?

Do you often feel tense and jumpy and unable to relax? Are you often overwhelmed by feelings of apprehension or dread, followed by excessive and irrational fear and worry? Have you ever found yourself continuously watching for signs of danger? Always anticipating the worst, trouble concentrating. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States. Anxiety is more than just a feeling of “ jitters and butterflies in the pit of your stomach” that can be shaken off. Anxiety is an occasional feeling of unease, worry or fear, and is a normal healthy response to fearful circumstances. However, an anxiety disorder is when your fear becomes excessive characterized by behavioral disturbances that are disruptive to your livelihood. Even though each individual suffering from an anxiety disorder may have unique symptoms, there is a common thought process involving irrational fear and anxiety.

Is Anxiety the Same Thing as Depression?

The two most common dual diagnoses are anxiety and depression. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from depression to experience anxiety, and for someone suffering from anxiety to suffer from depression. Even though depression and anxiety are different conditions, they frequently occur together. Treatments for anxiety and depression sometimes overlap, so it is important to know how each condition is treated. Whether you are suffering from anxiety, depression, or both.

How can Counseling Help Me with Anxiety?

Through counseling, you can discover healthier ways of coping with and resolving your anxiety and depression symptoms. Therapy can help you address and manage the impact of anxiety and depression on your relationships and daily life.  Together, we will explore and examine dynamics that contribute to your anxiety and depression, so you can gain greater insight into unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors, which may contribute to your symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

• An inability to be still and calm

• Being easily fatigued

• Chest pain or Heart Palpitations

• Difficulty controlling your feelings of worrying

• Dry mouth, Nausea, Dizziness

• Excessive sweating or numbness in the hands or feet

• Feeling irritable, restless, wound-up, or on-edge

• Feelings of panic, fear, and nervousness

• Frequent Urination

• Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank

• Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Irrational ritualistic behaviors

• Muscle tension throughout the body

• Uncontrollable, obsessive thinking

• Repeated thoughts or “flashbacks” of traumatic events

• Shortness of breath, hyperventilation

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, it is important to talk to a doctor and mental health professional. There are treatments available that can help reduce anxiety and improve your quality of life. Research shows that the combination of therapy and treatment has the best chance for success.

What can happen if Anxiety goes untreated?

While anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at times, it can become a problem when it interferes with daily life or causes significant distress. If anxiety is left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions such as depression and panic disorder. Untreated anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach problems, and fatigue. It can make it difficult to concentrate or focus on tasks, leading to decreased productivity. Additionally, people with anxiety may have difficulty sleeping or eating properly, which can result in poor physical and mental health.

Is Anxiety the same thing as PTSD?

No, anxiety and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are two different conditions. Anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry that can interfere with daily life, while PTSD is an intense reaction to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, emotional numbing, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma. If you think you may have PTSD, it is important to get help from a trained mental health professional.