Are you constantly on high alert? Do simple decisions feel overwhelming, or does your mind race with “what-if” scenarios? Maybe you’re lying awake at night, struggling to quiet your thoughts, or finding yourself planning obsessively to manage what’s ahead. Even when everything seems fine, there’s that persistent undercurrent of worry that something might go wrong.
You’re not alone. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), over 40 million adults in the United States experience anxiety disorders. The good news is that there are continued advancements in anxiety therapy and understanding how we can change anxiety’s grip on our lives.
Understanding Anxiety Better
What Is Anxiety & Why Does It Feel So Overwhelming?
Anxiety is more than just everyday stress or worry. It’s your body’s natural alarm system working overtime, constantly scanning for potential threats. While this response was designed to protect you, it can become overactive, like a smoke detector that goes off at the slightest hint of steam.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
What anxiety does to your body goes beyond just mental stress. Your nervous system kicks into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode, triggering physical reactions such as:
- Rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing
- Muscle tension and restlessness
- Digestive issues and nausea
- Sleep disruption
- Difficulty concentrating
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Different types of anxiety affect people in unique ways. You might experience:
- Generalized Anxiety: Persistent worry about everyday situations
- Social Anxiety: Fear of judgment in social settings
- Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense episodes of fear
- Specific Phobias: Strong fear of particular objects or situations
What are the causes of anxiety?
Where anxiety comes from varies for each person. It can stem from:
- Past experiences and trauma
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental stressors
- Brain chemistry
- Learned responses and thinking patterns
Understanding how anxiety affects your body and mind is the first step toward healing. While you might wonder, “Will anxiety go away?“, remember that with proper support and treatment, you can learn to manage and reduce its impact on your life.
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Anxiety Therapy & Treatment Options
Proven Approaches to Healing
Treating anxiety isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer multiple evidence-based methods to help you find the most effective path to healing:
Brain-Based Therapies
Some of the most innovative treatments target anxiety at its neurological root. Techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting work directly with your brain’s anxiety centers. These therapies are particularly powerful because they:
- Require minimal talk
- Process through anxieties safely
- Address deep-seated phobias and trauma
- Provide efficient healing without extensive verbal processing
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Widely recognized as a gold standard in anxiety treatment, CBT helps you:
- Challenge unhelpful thought patterns
- Develop adaptive coping strategies
- Improve your ability to complete daily tasks
- Understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
More than just meditation, mindfulness helps you:
- Bring attention to the present moment
- Observe thoughts and feelings without judgment
- Develop emotional regulation skills
- Practice body awareness and stress reduction
Body-Based Therapies
For those who prefer a more physical approach, body-based anxiety therapy options are:
- Yoga and somatic techniques
- Movement-based healing techniques
- Exploration of how anxiety manifests in physical tension
- Breathing and posture work to regulate the nervous system
Our Integrative Approach to Anxiety Therapy
We don’t believe in a single solution. Instead, we work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that combines these approaches, addressing anxiety from multiple angles. Whether you’re struggling with social anxiety, panic attacks, or generalized worry, we’ll help you develop the tools to regain control and find peace.
Free Resources
The Resilient Brain Project
You can find free mental health tools like apps, interactive games, videos, blogs, and more in our online resource library, the Resilient Brain Project. Tools include:
- Calming exercises you can practice in crowded places
- Sensory tricks to soothe feelings of worry
- A short film about panic attacks
- A podcast covering everything from breathing techniques to dissociation
- Organizations that support people with anxiety across the world
More Information On Anxiety
Our team has written a number of pieces on anxiety, healing, and more. Below are some of our most recent posts.
