Sleep Deprivation and Anxiety: Understanding How Lack of Sleep Impacts Mental Health
Ever found yourself tossing and turning at night, your mind racing with worries and anxieties? Then, the next day, you find that you are...
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Are you stuck in a constant loop of worries?
Do these worries get in the way of sleep or connecting with others?
Does your body feel tight and like you can't relax?
Does it feel like anxiety is taking control of your life?
Feeling like this is too much.
We understand what you are going through.
When you are ready, we are here for you.
Do these anxiety symptoms sound like your experience?
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Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
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Being easily fatigued
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Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
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Being irritable
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Having muscle tension
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Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
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Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
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Preoccupation with planning for the future
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Attempting to predict outcomes and answer what if questions
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Worries building on top of other worries
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Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
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Sweating excessively
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Shortness of breath or feeling breathless
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Trembling or shaking
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Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
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Nausea or stomach discomfort
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Feelings of impending doom or dread
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Avoidance of certain situations or places
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Feeling overwhelmed or on the verge of a panic attack
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Experiencing intrusive thoughts or images
If you answered yes,
you may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety
It's essential to recognize that you are not alone in this struggle; anxiety is a prevalent response to the challenges of modern life. The relentless demands of work, financial pressures, and the weight of relational expectations can quickly pile up, leading to overwhelming worries and persistent psychological distress. You may find yourself feeling stuck, unable to see a way out, and losing hope for change.
While it's normal to have occasional worries, chronic and constant anxiety can become debilitating. Perhaps you've noticed how anxiety affects various aspects of your life. It may be impacting your ability to show up and connect in your relationships, hindering your productivity at work or school, and leaving you feeling unmotivated. Besides the well-known physical symptoms associated with anxiety (e.g., tension and tightness in your body, headaches, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, sweating, gastrointestinal Distress), there's also the emotional toll to consider. Anxiety can trigger a range of emotions, sometimes resembling feelings of depression. You might experience fatigue, irritability, and emotional exhaustion, all of which can take a toll on your relationships, work performance, and overall zest for life.
Some people may also experience an anxiety attack, also known as a panic attack. Panic attacks are often triggered by anxiety. Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear and distress that can arise suddenly and unexpectedly. They are typically associated with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. During a panic attack, individuals may experience a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, and a feeling of impending doom. The intensity of these physical and emotional sensations can be so severe that individuals may fear they are losing control, going crazy, or even facing imminent danger. Panic attacks can be triggered by specific situations or can seemingly arise out of the blue. They typically reach their peak within minutes and can subside gradually. Afterward, individuals may feel exhausted and emotionally drained. While panic attacks can be frightening, it's essential to know that they are not life-threatening, and help is available. It's also important to note that not all anxiety leads to panic attacks, and not everyone with an anxiety disorder experiences panic attacks. However, anxiety is a common underlying factor in the development of panic attacks for many individuals.
The effects of anxiety are challenging to address on your own, or even from people you reach out to for support, particularly when those close to us may struggle to understand the depth of our experience. This is where anxiety counseling can be transformative. By seeking support from our compassionate therapists, you'll have a safe and non-judgmental space to explore your anxieties and emotions. Through therapy, you'll gain valuable insights into the underlying factors contributing to your anxiety and develop effective coping strategies to navigate life's challenges. Our goal is to empower you to break free from the grip of anxiety and discover a life where hope, joy, and fulfillment become your reality. Remember, healing and transformation are possible, and we are here to walk with you every step of the way. Don't hesitate to reach out and take the courageous step towards a brighter, anxiety-free future.
How will Therapy for Anxiety help?
You have tried, perhaps for what seems like forever, to make the thoughts stop. You have ignored, avoided, downplayed, laughed, drank, smoked, journaled, and probably attempted just about anything to make the thoughts stop and to get rid of the tension in your body. By holding your thoughts and feelings inside and not communicating your experiences, your anxiety symptoms are frequently made worse. You are probably feeling even more anxious, overwhelmed, distressed, and tense. We understand that living with anxiety can be overwhelming and all encompassing. Fortunately, anxiety is one of the most responsive of all mental health challenges to therapy.
With our compassionate support and engagement in anxiety treatment, you'll discover the strength within yourself to thrive. Therapy for anxiety is a transformative journey that fosters personal growth and empowers you to overcome the challenges you face. When you collaboratively engage with our therapists you will start out by building a therapeutic relationship with your counselor, this relationship will be the foundation of your work to treat your anxiety symptoms. In anxiety counseling sessions, our therapists offer more than just a safe space; we provide unwavering emotional support as you explore your feelings, fears, and worries.
Our approach to therapy for anxiety goes beyond symptom reduction; it's about empowering you to flourish. By engaging in counseling, you'll develop invaluable stress resilience through learning coping strategies and emotional regulation techniques that will serve you well beyond the therapeutic process. You will increase problem solving skills, identify, develop, and utilize your strengths, and identify the roadblocks that are stopping you from overcoming your anxiety. You and your therapist will explore aspects of your experiences that have, until then, been left for you alone (or with the help of well-meaning significant others) to identify, understand, and reconcile. This may not seem like much at first, but the process quickly develops into a new, often clearer perspective, on the problems you are experiencing. You will notice increased engagement in your life - with your friends and family, your career, education, and yourself. You will notice a reduction of tension and distress, increased concentration and focus, and reduced swirling worries. You will be able to live the life you have been hoping for. Change is not only possible, but probable, through committing to the counseling process and collaborating with your therapist. Our therapists will partner with you and bring their specialized training, tools, and techniques to the therapeutic relationship so you can find relief from your anxiety symptoms.
Remember, therapy for anxiety is not just a one-time fix; it's an ongoing collaboration with your dedicated therapist. Together, we'll explore the underlying factors contributing to your worries and fears, bringing about a new and clearer perspective on the issues you face. Our therapists are committed to supporting you in every step of your journey, providing the tools, techniques, and encouragement you need to achieve relief from anxiety symptoms.
You are capable of creating positive change and living a life that aligns with your values. With anxiety therapy, you'll develop the skills and mindset necessary to face anxiety head-on and embrace the opportunities for growth it presents. The journey may not always be easy, but with our guidance and your inner strength, healing is possible. Take the first step toward a fulfilling life by embracing the empowering journey of therapy for anxiety.
Uncertain about starting therapy?
Uncertainty about starting therapy is a common concern people have when considering whether or not to treat anxiety. Of course attitudes toward therapy vary between people and cultures, but beyond fear there are many valid questions about the use and effectiveness of therapy in resolving anxiety.
Talking about my problems won’t help my anxiety.
Understandably, the belief that talking won’t help change what seems insurmountable in your minds, justifies the idea that therapy won’t be helpful and is better handled alone. This could not be further from the truth. It is common to feel a great sense of relief after the first session of therapy, having expressed your thoughts, feelings, and perspectives with a person who is listening, without judgment, and who is fully engaged in the conversation. Sharing is a powerful experience, especially when sharing significant mental and emotional challenges. This helps to form a foundation from which the process of therapy can be built upon, including the addition of tools that can be practiced outside of session.
Anxiety is rooted in childhood experiences, so therapy will be about my childhood. I don't want to talk about my childhood.
Early experiences and influences have shaped your patterns and habits. Identifying the origin of your symptoms can add to the process of growth and healing. Many treatments for anxiety predominantly attend to the “here-and-now” of your life. In the “here-and-now”, the focus of therapy revolves around addressing the thoughts, feelings, actions that you are experiencing in the present. Therapy can help you develop news skills to manage your thoughts, emotions, and engage in new responses. While the style and personality of each individual therapist will shape the process of therapy, the most effective treatments for anxiety are behavioral therapies including CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), as well as mindfulness based strategies.
I have anxiety, so I should avoid stress.
While we would ideally want to live a life free of stress, this belief is counterproductive to overcoming anxiety. The fuel to the anxious fire in a person’s mind is the avoidance of fears or perceived fearful occurrences. The more a person avoids rather than addresses or processes the fear they are experiencing, the more likely that fear consumes a person’s life.
The fear in question may be “normal” or excessive. For example, a “normal fear” might include an encounter with a particular insect a person fears, such as a spider, triggering that person’s fear response. This is thought to be “normal” as it is appropriate to the situation the person finds themselves in and their reaction is to a real or present fearful event. On the other hand, a person who has an irrational fear of spiders may spend an excessive amount of time and energy to “spider proof” their home, interfering with their typical daily functions. Whatever the fear, facing it, with proven tools is key to preventing their growing and transforming our lives into one of apprehension.
As anxiety has grown over time, so too the progress of erasing excessive worries takes time. The good news is that therapists have a range of effective tools to aid people attempting to eliminate excessive worries from their life, no matter the source or symptoms.
I'm afraid of being judged or misunderstood in therapy.
Fear of judgment is a common concern, but it's essential to remember that therapy is a safe and confidential space. Our therapists are dedicated to providing a non-judgmental and supportive environment where you can freely express your thoughts and emotions. We approach therapy with empathy and understanding, recognizing that each individual's experiences are unique. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and respect, ensuring that you can openly explore your feelings without fear of being misunderstood. Our goal is to create a compassionate and caring atmosphere where you can feel heard, validated, and supported throughout your journey to healing.
I don't have the time or money for therapy.
It's understandable that therapy may feel like a time and financial commitment, but investing in your mental health and well-being is invaluable. Consider therapy as an investment in yourself, where the benefits extend far beyond the time spent in sessions. Our therapists work collaboratively with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your schedule and budget. Additionally, many therapy options, including online counseling and reduced fees, are available to make therapy more accessible. Also, we take insurance! Many insurance plans today provide mental health benefits. Taking the step towards therapy can lead to improved productivity, better relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
Therapists that Specialize in treating Anxiety
Abia Hashmi, MA, LCPC, LPC
Therapy in Illinois, Texas, and Florida
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