Everyone feels nervous or worried from time to time. This could be anxiety seeking to protect or guide you. In that context, anxiety is a positive and helpful emotion. It can become much more problematic if it’s excessive and chronic. If anxiety is persistent, it may mean the possible presence of an anxiety disorder. That’s where CBT may enter the picture (my favorite way to help you in sessions!).
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of many forms of talk therapy. It generally takes place over a limited amount of sessions and can be focused on a wide range of mental health concerns. In many cases, CBT is a frontline choice for treating anxiety disorders.
Anxiety Disorders: A Few Basics
Anxiety disorders come in several forms. Two such forms, for example, are generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. While each variation will have its clear differences, there are some universal red flags to watch for such as these symptoms:
- Chronic, irrational fears
- Relentless worrying
- An inability to focus or concentrate
- Unexplained physical aches and tension
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances
- Becoming easily agitated
- Shaking and trembling
- Fatigue
- Extreme perspiration
- Panic attacks
- Avoidance of many or most social situations
Symptoms like this can seriously hamper one’s daily functioning!
A Little More About CBT
A primary goal of CBT is to help clients identify their thoughts for what they are. Quite often, in cases of high anxiety, one’s thought patterns can become distorted. Unless and until such distortion is recognized, making changes can be quite challenging.
CBT aims to increase clarity about your thinking patterns, where they come from, and how to address them in a positive way. As a CBT girl, I see this as a beginning method to helping you combat your negative thoughts which is directly linked to lessening your anxiety symptoms and who doesn’t want that?
How CBT Helps Anxiety
Anxiety is quite adept at distorting reality. It will deceive you into mindsets that foster fear and shame. Cognitive behavioral therapy guides us to fact-check our inner voice to make new choices and experience new emotions. With the support of an experienced CBT therapist, you can make swift progress in areas like:
Accepting Uncertainty
Not knowing what is going to happen is a genuine struggle for most folks with anxiety issues. Even though some uncertainty is inevitable, it’s hard to accept in the face of anxiety. CBT helps you shift this mindset to one of deeper tolerance.
Identifying Thought Distortions
Since anxiety is a skilled liar, CBT will focus heavily on pinpointing the distortions that lead you to irrational fears. It guides you away from an all-or-nothing way of thinking to embrace more nuance.
Recognizing Triggers
If you can see trouble brewing in advance, you are better positioned to minimize the impact. Your CBT sessions will teach you the valuable skills of identifying your personal triggers. This can dramatically increase confidence.
Resisting Perfectionism
People with anxiety fear being embarrassed. The catch is that anything less than perfection feels embarrassing to them. CBT will help you redefine what failure and success mean to you.
Embracing Mindfulness
Anxiety dwells in past regrets and future fears. It cannot sustain itself in the present moment. You will walk away from CBT treatment with a deeper appreciation for mindfulness and the powerful role it can play in your recovery.
CBT is Not a Magic Potion
Like all forms of healing, CBT requires work and commitment. But rest assured, it can support and bolster your efforts to alleviate debilitating anxiety. It begins by recognizing you need extra guidance and support to master your anxiety … this is where WE come in! We’ve got you babe! Just self-schedule here now or click here to send us an email and we can get started on helping you master your anxiety and live your best life!
