ANXIETY & MOOD DISORDERS

For many people, anxiety occurs under specific stressful situations. For others, anxiety is always with them every minute of the day, causing problems in all areas of their life. Physical symptoms such as chest pains, shortness of breath, and digestive disorders as well as avoidance of activities, poor concentration and distracting thoughts can disrupt a person's normal functioning. With treatment, one can conquer the cycles of fear and self-defeat caused by anxiety.

Anxiety can also be a symptom when dealing with other disorders such as:

• Panic Disorders

• Phobias

• Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors

• Depression

There are several effective therapy techniques to treat anxiety, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps people identify and change negative or distorted thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. The goal is to replace these thoughts with more realistic and helpful ones.

Exposure Therapy: This technique involves gradually exposing the person to situations or stimuli that trigger anxiety, allowing them to face and overcome their fears.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR is a type of therapy that teaches people to be present in the moment, pay attention to their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and accept their experiences without resistance.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps people accept their anxious thoughts and feelings while focusing on taking action to move towards their values and goals.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that combines elements of CBT with mindfulness techniques. It focuses on teaching people skills to manage intense emotions and improve relationships with others.

It's important to note that different people may respond differently to different therapy techniques, and that it's important to work with your counselor to determine the best approach for each individual.

At the Counseling Center of New Smyrna Beach we have therapist who work with these approaches to help you get the treatment you need.