Relieving Anxiety in West Harford, CT for a More Fulfilling Life
Elevated levels of anxiety are extremely common, and if you’re struggling with worry, fear, stress, or anxiety, you’re in good company. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American, more than 40 million adults in the U.S. are affected by some form of anxiety every year. That’s nearly 20% of the adult population. It’s no secret that anxiety is a serious concern. If you’re among the millions of people in the U.S. who are suffering with disordered anxiety levels, let’s work together to make a positive change. At the Harmony Center for change, we are dedicated to relieving anxiety for our West Hartford, CT clients and helping them lead a more fulfilling life. When you’re ready to get started, we would love to hear from you. You can also learn more about anxiety on this page.
What is Anxiety?
Our bodies and brains are designed to keep us safe, and anxiety is a safety mechanism. Imagine if you came face to face with a predator. Your body and brain would kick into hyperdrive, processing the situation and functioning differently to help you survive. Once the threat is removed, your body sends waves of relief and resets itself to your “normal.” Today, life is filled with threats that aren’t always as clear and present as a predator. Instead, your body and brain are constantly feeling a little anxious about situations that never seem to resolve. That means your brain doesn’t know when to give you that sense of relief and tell you it’s safe to relax. Therapy can help you develop skills to process complicated situations and emotions and feel greater levels of peace.
What are the Warning Signs of Anxiety?
Anxiety can be very complicated. It impacts people physically, emotionally, and cognitively, and it affects everyone differently. Some of the many warning signs of elevated anxiety include:
- Physical changes – elevated heart rate, sweating, nervous movement (tapping toes, pacing, wringing hands), difficulty breathing, chest pain, upset stomach, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of appetite or increased appetite
- Emotional changes – mood swings, unexplained fear, anger disproportionate to the situation, worrying, avoiding interacting with people
- Cognitive changes – difficulty concentrating, worried thoughts (thinking through the “what ifs”), catastrophizing (imagining the worst case scenario), forgetting details, having nightmares or flashbacks
Why am I Anxious?
Anxiety may be caused by a wide range of concerns. Some people are just naturally more anxious. Others, have specific phobias that lead to increased anxiety levels. For some, a traumatic experience or childhood trauma leads to disordered levels of anxiety. You may have heard increased anxiety related to trauma referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you feel comfortable and safe exploring past traumas and other experiences that trigger increased anxiety, your therapist can support you on this journey. However, therapy can still help you achieve relief from the negative effects of anxiety without the need to work through difficult past experiences until you’re ready.
How Does Therapy Help with Anxiety?
Therapy for anxiety helps people better manage current anxiety symptoms, start reducing future experiences of anxiety, and feel more satisfied and stable in your relationships. Our practice utilizes a range of approaches to help individuals who are struggling to overcome the effects of disordered anxiety. This may include a range of approaches to therapy, but we, specifically, utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Each of these research-supported therapy techniques is proven to provide relief and ongoing improvement for people with anxiety. All of these technical terms mean one simple thing – people who have a lot of experience say that they help with anxiety.
For individuals struggling with anxiety, DBT and MBCT are often used to address the symptoms of elevated anxiety and other complex emotions in the moment. In short, you’ll learn skills to handle challenges as they arise. Additionally, DBT and MBCT practices increase resilience and distress tolerance in the long term. That means you’ll notice fewer and less severe anxiety responses over time. Additionally, individuals who struggle with anxiety often have more meaningful and effective interactions with others after receiving therapy that utilizes DBT or MBCT.
What do I do Next?
If you’re struggling with Anxiety, adding one more thing to your already anxious mind may feel a little overwhelming. The team at the Harmony Center for Change understands what you’re going through, and we’re here to support you. We’ve made the getting started process quick and easy. You can fill out an online contact form, call, or email us, using the details on our contact page. However you feel comfortable reaching out, we look forward to hearing from you. Our mission statement is: “Embrace beginnings for they are rich in hope and possibilities.” We know it’s not always easy to make a change and take the first step on your journey, but when you’re ready to start, there is hope and possibility waiting for you here.