You thought this would go away on its own, but you were completely wrong.
It wasn’t a big deal, at least at first it wasn’t. Now, it’s starting to creep into your daily life and routine. It’s starting to affect areas you didn’t even think it had access to.
You’re constantly anxious, worried, and on edge. You can finally admit to yourself that this isn’t normal. You want to get back to living and enjoying your life again.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of therapy that helps to change negative thought patterns and behaviors about certain situations or events into more positive ones. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on the belief that how we think and how we feel are closely related to one another.
How CBT Can Help With Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD, and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, but it’s also one of the most effective forms of treatment for anxiety including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and certain phobias.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works to treat anxiety by helping struggling individuals make changes to how they think and act when they’re dealing with anxiety. The changes made during CBT can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety in their daily life.
CBT works to reduce certain behaviors that can lead to anxiety. Here are some of the most common behaviors that are addressed during CBT:
- Avoidance
- Control
- Distraction
- Projection
- Procrastination
CBT Techniques
There are different Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques that are used in treatment depending on the type of anxiety that someone may be dealing with. All of the techniques can help individuals better manage their anxiety and change their thoughts and/or behaviors. These are a few of the most common techniques:
Reframing
One of the most common CBT techniques is reframing. During this technique, your therapist will work with you to help you rethink some of your negative thought patterns. After identifying your negative patterns, you’ll work together to reframe them into positives instead.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a common CBT therapy option. This type of therapy helps individuals reduce the avoidant behavior that is driving their anxiety. During an exposure therapy session, a therapist will work with you to learn different relaxation techniques so that you can apply them when exposed to certain triggers. Over time, you’ll become desensitized to the original trigger.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques are a great way to ease into the CBT therapy process. Your therapist will work with you to teach you different relaxation techniques that you can apply during your session as well as on your own in between sessions. Some of the relaxation techniques may include things like deep breathing, meditation, or muscle relaxation.
Next Steps
If the anxiety you’re experiencing is starting to impact your daily life and routine, it’s time to reach out for help. Symptoms of anxiety can actually worsen over time if left untreated. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need and deserve.
You don’t have to go through or try to handle this all on your own. Anxiety is completely treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be a great option for you and your anxiety.
If you’re interested in learning more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), reach out today to set up a consultation for anxiety therapy. We’ll work with you to determine the best treatment option for you and your needs so you can get back to living your life to the fullest again.