Counseling for Anxiety
Anxiety manifests itself in a variety of ways in people from all walks of life. From the mom celebrating the birth of her new baby to high school students deciding whether to go to college, tension and feelings of unease are common everyday feelings — until they aren’t. When anxious thoughts and emotions get in the way of wellness and peace of mind, it’s time to take action.
If you are struggling with persistent and pervasive feelings of worry, nervousness or dread, you could have an anxiety disorder. At Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, our team of experienced anxiety therapists specialize in treating this condition in patients living in Andover and the surrounding communities.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal, biological reaction to dangerous or stressful situations. These unpleasant feelings can lead to positive results, such as making a meaningful life change or avoid a dangerous place. However, anxiety interferes with your daily activities and causes you to view everything through the lens of fear and avoidance.
If you are concerned that you or someone you care for has an anxiety disorder, here are some of the symptoms to look for:
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- Excessive worry or irrational fears and avoidanc
e - Avoiding social situations
- Agitation
- Shaking, sweating or a rapid heartbeat
- Restlessness
- Fatigue and sleep problems
- Difficulty concentrating at home, work or school
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Excessive worry or irrational fears and avoidanc
eFind the Tools to Cope with Anxiety
What Are the Causes of Anxiety?
Anxiety can begin at any stage of life, causing feelings that are difficult to manage and can interfere with your daily tasks and activities. While the exact causes of anxiety are still widely unknown, it’s believed that specific risk factors can increase the chances of developing an anxiety disorder. These factors include:
- Genetics: Having a parent or close family member with an anxiety disorder.
- Personality: Having traits like low extraversion or a type-A personality.
- Stress: Experiencing a buildup of stress due to school, work, finances, illness or relationships.
- Trauma: Witnessing or experiencing traumatic events.
- Other mental health concerns: Having another existing concern, like depression.
- Underlying medical condition: Having an underlying medical condition such as chronic pain, diabetes, thyroid problems or heart disease.
What Are the Different Types of Anxiety?
Anxiety can be categorized into different types of disorders, and it’s possible to experience one anxiety disorder or several. The most common types include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Causes feelings of excessive worry over ordinary circumstances, events or activities.
- Panic disorder: Causes a combination of physical and mental symptoms that occur suddenly, resulting in panic attacks.
- Separation anxiety disorder: Causes children to experience intense anxiety whenever separated from parents or guardians.
- Social anxiety disorder: Causes feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness, fear and anxiety in social settings.
How to Know When to Seek Help for Anxiety
Nearly one-third of the adults living in the United States will struggle with an anxiety disorder at some point in their life — a statistic that doesn’t include teens or kids. Yet, too often, this mental health condition goes undiagnosed and untreated. Knowing when to take action and get help is important. Whether you need counseling or you’re seeking help for your child, the tricky part is telling the difference between everyday and problematic anxiety.
There are many different kinds of anxiety disorders, ranging from general anxiety and social anxiety to phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To understand if your everyday anxiety has crossed the line into one of these serious mental health conditions, ask yourself how much the anxiety is impacting you or your loved one.
When You’re Ready, Speak With a Licensed Therapist at (978) 482–7351
Seeking Therapy for Anxiety in Andover and the Merrimack Valley
If you’re experiencing anxiety that’s affecting your day-to-day life, treatment is available at Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates. The licensed and compassionate therapists at our Andover practice are trained to treat anxiety disorders. Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with a variety of highly effective and clinically-tested techniques.
We understand that no two people experience anxiety the same way. Our flexible style allows us to find a method that works based on your needs. Our compassionate anxiety therapists will work with you to help you overcome challenges and manage your symptoms. We’ll take your confidentiality seriously throughout the entire process, too.
Benefits of Our Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Andover
No matter what anxiety disorder you’re facing, we’ll help you feel comfortable and welcome each time you schedule an appointment. Our therapists, who have a high level of experience, are dedicated to working with you to reach your goals. We can help children, adolescents, adults and even entire families who are dealing with the symptoms and effects of an anxiety disorder.
We take the time to relate to each one of our unique patients before beginning a clinically tested and approved-for-use treatment plan. Prefer telehealth appointments? Our psychologists can provide virtual therapy for anxiety if that’s what works best for you.
Whether you visit our counseling center in downtown Andover or schedule teleconference therapy, you’ll find that working with a professional has many benefits for your overall mental and physical well-being, such as:
- Uncover the underlying causes of your fear and avoidance
- Learn ways to relax when you’re feeling tense or worried
- Learn how to look at situations in new, less frightening ways
- Develop healthy coping and problem-solving skills
- Learn tools to overcome anxiety and how to use them in different situations
Find an Anxiety Therapist in Andover, MA
Don’t let anxiety rob you of one more day of peace. Contact the skilled and caring team at Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates. We want to help you set the stage for a healthy and successful future free from fear and avoidance. Our team specializes in treating children, teens and adults — so, give us a call at (978) 482–7351 if anxiety is impacting yourself or your child.
Reviewed By
Dr. David Rainen, PsyD.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with an extensive background treating a variety of different ages, situations, emotional and mental health disorders in individuals and their families. As part of my 10 year professional and training career in psychology, I have developed and refined my skills and approaches through my work in a variety of diverse settings including: hospitals, community outpatient facilities, college counseling centers, secure and unsecure inpatient/residential treatment programs, and therapeutic day schools.
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