Anxiety is a fairly common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Although considered as a normal response of the body against a threat or a potentially dangerous situation, anxiety can be a problematic disorder that can affect one’s quality of life once it becomes serious. It can severely impair one’s ability to interact with others and to function normally in day-to-day activities. For many individuals, anxiety counselling is the best option to manage and overcome the condition.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an umbrella term for a feeling of nervousness, worry, fear and apprehension. It can be a disorder by itself or a symptom of a different disorder. Anxiety is generally linked directly to certain stressful events in a person’s life, and is often the root cause of many conditions that affect mental health. Some of these conditions include GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), social anxiety disorder, panic attack, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and phobias.
Types of Counselling for Anxiety Treatment
There are different approaches to treating anxiety, depending on the patient, symptoms and current therapy being used, if available. Counselling, particularly one that focuses on behavioral treatment, has been proven effective either on its own or as a complementary solution to medication.
One of the most popular forms of counselling uses a type of therapy known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. By far, it is the type of counselling treatment that has the strongest empirical support. However, there are also other types of treatments that may be considered, such as:
– Psychodynamic Therapy
– Gestalt Therapy
– Holistic Therapy
– Dialectical Behavior Therapy
– Existential Therapy
These, along with other forms of therapies may be considered to help the patient cope with mental and behavioral issues. Note, however, that no single form of therapy is 100% guaranteed, and the efficacy of a specific treatment may change from one patient to the next. This is why it is critical that a patient work with a trained and experienced professional who can guide and advise the patient about what to do to regain control and overcome his symptoms.
What to Expect
Anxiety counselling is a collaborative type of treatment. Patients work with psychologists to identify the specific problem and to learn techniques to cope and manage anxiety. Patients are encouraged to apply these techniques in their daily activities to help improve their manner of thinking and reaction to situations. Although patient-only therapies are common, some patients may benefit from family psychotherapy where family members are involved or made aware of the patient’s needs. This is especially helpful for young patients such as children and teenagers. With the right type of therapy, commitment, and support from family and friends, patients suffering from anxiety can successfully complete their treatment and regain their confidence.
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