Anxiety Therapist in NYC

Table of contents:

Anxiety Therapy: Help for Anxiety Disorders in New York | Signs You May Need Anxiety Therapy | Types of Anxiety Disorders | Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders | Who Can Develop an Anxiety Disorder? | What Does Anxiety Feel Like? | Anxiety & Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions | Evidence-Based Therapy Types for Anxiety Disorders | About Anxiety Therapy at Looking Glass NYC

Help for Anxiety Disorders in New York

Are you overwhelmed by your anxiety? Is anxiety stopping you from achieving your goals and dreams, or simply from experiencing peace in your daily life?

If you feel like your anxiety is in the driver’s seat of your mind, you aren’t alone. This is a very common struggle for our patients at Looking Glass NYC. Luckily, you can treat anxiety take the wheel back. There are various ways to re-establish control over your thoughts, your mind, and your life through specialized anxiety therapy at Looking Glass NYC.

Our mental health professionals are a group of experienced anxiety therapists in New York City dedicated to helping individuals like yourself identify realistic objectives, develop practical strategies, and break free of their mental health struggles.

You don’t have to endure discomfort of anxiety alone; join us as we guide you towards becoming the best possible version of yourself!

At Looking Glass Psychology, you are welcome to explore who you are and grow in a relaxed, approachable environment with your anxiety therapist—regardless of how you feel, where you came from, or what you believe. If you’d like to learn how therapy can help you feel less anxious and enable you to live your best life, take a look at the information we outlined below and book a free phone consultation with us today.

Signs You May Need Help with Your Anxiety

If you feel like your anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. There are plenty of signs that can indicate an anxiety therapist would be beneficial in helping you learn how to manage your symptoms.

• Firstly, if you are feeling overwhelmed by strong emotions such as fear or worry on a regular basis and it is affecting your ability to function in everyday situations, then you may need anxiety therapy.
• Feeling constantly tense or agitated, having racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping, and avoiding certain situations due to fear of anxiousness could also indicate that you need professional help for better understanding and management of your anxiety.
• Additionally, if physical symptoms such as nausea or dizziness accompany these feelings, then seeking out anxiety therapy may be beneficial for you.

It is important to remember that everyone experiences different levels of anxiety in different situations. If you experience intense levels of stress while participating in common activities of life—such as going to work, being with friends and family, or grocery shopping— this could also be an indication that you need professional help to manage your anxiety.

Please keep in mind that anxiety therapy can help anyone who might be suffering from mild to severe symptoms of anxiety. Even if you don’t relate with or haven’t experienced any of the symptoms such as those listed above, it doesn’t mean that anxiety therapy isn’t for you.

Anxiety therapy can help you learn tools and techniques to manage anxious thoughts and emotions effectively. To understand whether anxiety therapy may be your ideal treatment, contact the caring counselors at Looking Glass NYC.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can affect people in many different ways. It is a common emotion characterized by feelings of apprehension, fear, and worry. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and separation anxiety.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by excessive worrying and tension that can interfere with daily activities. It is often identified by feeling overly worried about everyday events or situations that may be out of the individual’s control. Possible causes include genetics or a traumatic event or experience. Common symptoms may include feeling on edge, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension and headaches.
• Panic disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks which arise unexpectedly in times of distress or discomfort. Panic attacks are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and extreme fear or terror. The causes of panic disorder vary but may include genetics, changes in neurotransmitter levels or psychological factors such as stress or trauma.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): SAD is marked by an intense fear of social interaction for fear of embarrassment or judgement from others. People with SAD will avoid situations which may trigger their fears like going to parties or speaking in public places. Common physical symptoms of SAD may include blushing when speaking in front of others and difficulty making eye contact during conversations. Possible causes may include environmental factors such as family dynamics or genetic predisposition to anxiety disorders.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is associated with unwanted thoughts called obsessions that lead to behavioral compulsions focused on reducing the intrusive thinking caused by the obsession. This behavior can become ritualistic and interfere with an individual’s ability to function normally day-to-day life tasks. The cause of OCD remains unknown, but experts believe it could develop due to genetics, or environmental factors such as being exposed to stressful situations over time resulting in abnormal brain circuitry.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD occurs after someone has been involved in a traumatic event such as combat exposure, physical assault, sexual abuse, serious accidents, political violence as well as experiencing natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and more. PTSD can also occur if a person close to you has experienced such events. Some possible risk factors for this condition include genetics and biology where chemical differences in your body prevent you from coping well with traumatic events. To treat trauma and manage these symptoms individuals, it’s important to seek behavioral therapy and potentially consider medication therapy. Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, intense fear or phobias surrounding certain situations, and avoidance of certain thoughts, memories, ideas, situations, or places. Some people with PTSD are also prone to dissociation.
• Phobias: Phobias involve irrational fears associated with specific objects or situations. In these cases, any contact or exposure will drive intense emotions leading people away from facing their fears. These fears may link back to some kind past experiences, but it’s not mandatory for one be aware why they are scared of certain things. Common phobias include a fear of heights, animals, public speaking, darkness, small spaces, loud noises, germs, needles, thunderstorms, water, heights, flying, and more. Treatment of phobias usually involves exposure therapy along side medication therapy, depending on severity need case term administration course medication process.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD): SAD involves distress experienced when away from familiar people, such as parents, guardians, primary caregivers, siblings, friends, or romantic partners, along with difficulty adapting new environments due having strong insecure attachment individuals mentioned above. Symptoms might range increased crying, clinging, regular refusal to leave family members, sleep disturbances, stomach aches, tiredness, and more. This anxiety condition typically impacts children aged 5 – 12. There isn’t one known cause of this condition, however insufficient or unhealthy attachment figures during developmental stages could trigger onset this condition. Therapeutic interventions, calming strategies, distraction techniques, and psychoeducation are all important aspects in the successful treatment of SAD.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that present with a range of symptoms, including fear, worry, apprehension, and physical manifestations (such as panic attacks). It’s important to note that the symptoms of anxiety can vary greatly between individuals, or may even fluctuate within an individual as their circumstances change.

For example, someone with social anxiety disorder may experience different symptoms during a public speaking engagement as opposed to when playing video games online in the comfort of their bedroom.

It is also possible for someone to have more than one type of anxiety disorder at any given time. This is known as comorbidity and can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics or environmental issues. For example, a person who has both OCD and phobias may experience different levels of anxiety depending on the situation or setting they are in. The severity and manifestation of symptoms can also vary over time due to changes in life circumstances like job loss or major life transitions.

Anxiety disorders can manifest in a variety of ways, and it is important to be aware of the signs that someone may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Here are some common signs:

• Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
• Easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Panic, fear, and uneasiness
• Feelings of panic, doom, or danger
• Sleep problems
• Not being able to stay calm and relaxed
• Excessive worrying
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Tense muscles

When managing anxiety disorders, it’s critical to understand each individual’s unique set of 
symptoms since treatment plans need to be tailored accordingly. Therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or talk therapy, provide a means to better understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviour interact in order to manage the condition effectively. 

Medication can also play an important role in someone’s recovery from an anxiety disorder, if deemed necessary by a doctor or psychiatrist. Ultimately the goal of seeking mental health treatment for anxiety is to focus on calming techniques while creating meaningful alterations in one’s lifestyle that will help reduce their overall stress levels and aid with symptom management moving forward.

Who Can Develop an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders can affect people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Though anyone can develop an anxiety disorder at any time in their life, certain factors can put an individual at higher risk. 

These risk factors include a family history of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, medical issues such as chronic illnesses, trauma from accidents or abuse, drug and alcohol use, and more. Additionally, life stressors and large life changes such as divorce or job loss can also trigger anxiety symptoms in those who may be more vulnerable.

No matter your age or background, a mental health provider can help you overcome your struggles with anxiety.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety can often have a profound effect on both the body and mind. Physically, anxiety can cause nausea, racing heart, shallow breathing, trembling, and sweating. These physical symptoms are caused by the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol as your body prepares for “fight or flight” response.

Mentally and emotionally, anxiety can feel like an intense sense of fear or dread that is difficult to shake off or control. You may find yourself ruminating over negatively charged thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to focus on the present moment.

Often, those with anxiety will experience difficulty sleeping and a sense of being overwhelmed by everyday tasks. It is not uncommon to also experience a lack of motivation or energy due to mental exhaustion associated with constant worrying and anxious thoughts. Overall, anxiety can be a debilitating condition that affects both your physical and mental wellbeing if left untreated.

Anxiety & Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Anxiety and other mental health conditions can exist together in what is known as comorbidity. Co-occurring mental health conditions exist when two or more mental disorders are present at the same time.

When anxiety exists with another mental disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder, it’s referred to as co-existing anxiety. Co-existing anxiety can increase the severity of symptoms and have a significant impact on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can also complicate the diagnosis process and treatment plan since the root cause of both disorders will need to be addressed.

As an example, a person who experiences both depression and anxiety may find themselves overthinking or ruminating over negative thoughts more often or for longer periods of time. In this case, a patient may experience an increased risk of self-harm or suicidal ideation due to intense sadness combined with anxiousness about their future.

Treatment plans that incorporate methods from both CBT (typical talk therapy) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are often recommended for those experiencing co-existing anxiety alongside other mental health conditions.

Evidence-Based Therapy Types for Anxiety Disorders

Looking Glass NYC uses evidence-based therapies to help you recover from your anxiety disorder and other mental health conditions. We may use a variety of different types of evidence-based therapies to achieve your goals, or even mix them and blend them to suit your learning style, personality, and personal needs.

Evidence-based therapies approved and available for people suffering from different types of anxiety disorders include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based approach that focuses on identifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to the symptoms of anxiety. CBT is what some people refer to as the most traditional type of “talk therapy” and helps individuals learn how to recognize their thoughts and feelings associated with anxiousness and then replace them with more positive ones.

Exposure Therapy is another evidence-based approach which involves gradually exposing the individual to the source of their fear in order to reduce their level of distress when confronted with it in real life situations. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts without judgment while committing to taking action towards values that will lead to a more meaningful life despite the presence of difficult emotions such as fear or anxiousness.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based approach that combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices in order to help individuals regulate their emotions better.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based approach which teaches individuals how to be mindful in order to reduce stress levels associated with anxiousness.

Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on understanding unconscious processes as they relate to current behavior while Interpersonal Therapy focuses on improving communication skills within relationships in order to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety.

Medication therapy is also available (and effective) for treating anxiety disorders; however, Looking Glass NYC cannot prescribe medication but can work in tandem with your prescribing psychiatrist to develop a synergistic treatment plan for you. If you’re looking to work with a doctor who could assess your need for anxiety-relieving medication, we’d be happy to refer you to some of the colleagues we trust most.

About Anxiety Therapy at Looking Glass NYC

At Looking Glass NYC, we understand that everyone experiences anxiety differently and for different reasons. That’s why our therapists take a tailored and customized approach when creating treatment plans to help you manage and reduce your anxiety symptoms. We work closely you to assess your specific needs and goals and create a treatment plan based on these factors.

At Looking Glass NYC, we strive to provide accessible mental health services that are both affordable and tailored specifically to you. Our experienced team of professionals will work with you every step of the way while creating an individualized plan that can help you manage your anxiety symptoms and develop skills to cope with them more effectively.

Sources

• National Institute of Health. Anxiety Disorders.
• Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety Disorders.

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