Anxiety: Symptoms, Types, and How Therapy Can Help

Anxiety is often compared to rocking in a chair—you're constantly in motion, expending energy, yet you never really move forward. Many people find themselves caught in this loop of worry, trying to control what hasn’t happened yet, only to realize their anxiety hasn’t solved anything. Let’s unpack what anxiety really is, the different forms it can take, and how therapy can support you in managing it.

What Is Anxiety?

At its core, anxiety is fear-filled anticipation of a real or imagined threat. It’s not just about stress or being nervous—anxiety can be deeply uncomfortable and manifest physically, affecting your entire body.

Common symptoms include:

- Tightness in the chest

- Sweating

- Gastrointestinal issues

- Tingling or numbness

- A racing heart or even fear of having a heart attack

These symptoms can arise whether the threat is real—like a natural disaster—or imagined, such as failing a test or making a mistake during a presentation. Anxiety thrives in the “what ifs” and often leads to avoidance behaviors, like canceling plans, avoiding crowds, or even fearing public speaking.

How Anxiety Impacts Daily Life

When left unchecked, anxiety can become debilitating. You might experience:

- Analysis paralysis (feeling stuck or unable to make decisions)

- Avoidance of social situations

- Panic attacks

- A significant decrease in quality of life

If these symptoms persist for most days over a six-month period, it may indicate an anxiety disorder that could benefit from professional support.

Common Types of Anxiety

While anxiety presents differently in everyone, here are three common anxiety-related conditions that often show up in therapy:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This is persistent, excessive worry across many areas of life—relationships, health, job performance, and more. People with GAD often feel overwhelmed by “everything all at once.”

2. Specific Phobias

In this case, anxiety is tied to a particular trigger, like spiders, flying, or tight spaces. The fear may feel uncontrollable even when the risk is minimal.

3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD involves distressing thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) aimed at relieving that distress. For example, someone might repeatedly check the stove to prevent a fire, even when it’s clearly off—leading to lateness or disrupted routines.

How Therapy Helps Manage Anxiety

Therapy provides a supportive environment to build resilience and gain tools to manage anxiety effectively. Here’s how it typically works:

Step 1: Address Physical Symptoms

Therapists often start by helping clients manage physical symptoms like rapid breathing, racing thoughts, or panic. In some cases, a referral to a medication provider (PCP, nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist) may be recommended for additional support.

Step 2: Explore the Origins

Through talk therapy, you’ll work to identify the root of your anxiety—whether it’s tied to past experiences or deeply held fears. Even if the origin isn’t clear, therapy can still move forward.

Step 3: Challenge Negative Core Beliefs

Anxiety often thrives on internal narratives like:

- “I’ll fail if I speak in public.”

- “Something bad will happen if I don’t do this perfectly.”

Therapists help you identify and challenge these beliefs, replacing them with more balanced and adaptive thoughts through gradual exposure and cognitive restructuring.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you’re dealing with general worry, specific fears, or intense panic, anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. At Good News Counseling, we’re here to walk alongside you with professional support, guidance, and hope.

📅 Schedule a brief consultation or full intake today

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Thanks for joining us today. Until next time—take care, and God bless.

Call us today at 641 230 9093 for a free 15 minute consult or shoot us an email at goodnewscounseling.pella@gmail.com. If you're interested in scheduling an appointment, click this link -> https://goodnewscounseling.clientsecure.me  to schedule an initial appointment today.