Many people experience forms of anxiety and panic in their lives. These conditions can interrupt everything about a person’s life; from the way he or she approaches situations to the way he or she breathes. Some people are skilled at hiding their fears and worries, but may nonetheless experience waves of panic. Others may feel a constant buzz of anxiety that prevents them from going places, doing things, or seeing people that could trigger a panic attack.

Anxiety has two speeds: off and on. When something occurs that flips the switch to “on” – such as a fight with a partner or a mistake at work – your heart rate and blood pressure increase. Suddenly, your instincts to fight, flee, or freeze kick in. You may experience the symptoms of a panic attack, such as shooting pain, numbness in your hands, or the fear that you are dying.

People who suffer from anxiety are triggered easily and have difficulty flipping the switch back to “off.” You may be frustrated and tired of fighting your mind, feelings, and body. However, with the help of an anxiety treatment specialist, you can learn to better control that switch and experience ongoing comfort and relief.

The trained psychologists at Waterford Counseling Services understand how anxiety treatment works. We have years of experience helping people develop the tools to increase the gap between a trigger and an attack on the nervous system. Our goal is to help you recognize and understand the signals of your mind, feelings, and body so that you can learn to regulate yourself again.

We recognize that everyone is different. After an evaluation, we can determine which methods of anxiety treatment best fit your needs. We are not interested in simply labeling the problem; rather, we want to take the time to help you discover what is really going on in your brain and body. We can help you develop and maintain replenishing habits, such as deep breathing and calming techniques. We can also show you how your body and mind behave under moments of stress and help you match your breathing to the expansion and contractions of your heart.

Your Waterford Counseling Services psychologists can also help you to stop anticipating worst-case scenarios. Your therapist can help you better understand your triggers and self-defeating behaviors so you can move into a future free of overwhelming fear, worry, and dread. As we address these symptoms, as well as other personal goals and needs, you can start taking control of your life, and with confidence. When you understand and address the particularities of your body and mind, you can begin to live with joy and hope again.

Although you may feel that anxiety treatment could be right for you, you still may have questions or concerns…

Although taking steps toward change can be frightening, the decision to confront your issues and understand your pain can lead to freedom and relief. While no one is perfect, you can develop tools to control your life and redirect your future. If you suffer from persistent, overwhelming fear and worry, you have little to lose and much to gain if you seek anxiety treatment. Change is almost always for the better.

People who suffer from anxiety often feel as though they have no time to take care of themselves. This constant sense of urgency may make it difficult for you to focus on the present. However, when we focus on the past, we become very frustrated. When we focus on the future, we become anxious. You only have the ability to control the present moment. Once you begin to take the time to regulate yourself, you may find a newfound sense of relief and control that makes every moment worthwhile.

In addition, anxiety treatment does not last forever. Patients often experience significant improvement in just a few sessions, as we help equip you with the tools to manage worry and stress for the rest of your life.

While medication does help some people manage their anxiety symptoms, it is not a lasting solution. When taken frequently and/or over a long period of time, many medicines cause confusion or difficultly concentrating, which may contribute to the feeling of once again being out of control. At Waterford Counseling Services, we want you to feel in control of your life. We can help you develop sustainable practices to recognize and cope with symptoms of anxiety and panic.

If you are tired of feeling trapped by anxiety, we can help you break free. Our psychologists can help you develop tools to synch your mind and body and leave the pain of sleepless nights and spinning thoughts behind. You can have control over your life again.

We invite you to contact us at Waterford Counseling Services or call 630-898-5322 for a brief phone consultation. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have.