Anxiety is a bully. Because it has complete access to your mind, it knows your deepest fears. It knows the exact buttons to push—all your nightmare scenarios—that send you spiraling.
If you give it an inch, it takes a mile. The more you acquiesce and give in to its whims, the smaller your world becomes.
Knowing what makes you anxious is a great way to fire back and regain some control. In some cases, the trigger may be obvious. In other cases, it’s just there.
Here we’ll explore some common causes of anxiety and how you know when it’s time to get help.
Anxiety as Preparation
Feeling anxious about a potentially bad, scary, or unknown situation—say it’s an interview or lab results—can almost feel like it’s part of the preparation process.
In situations like these, the thought of letting go of the anxiety and just being can feel as unappealing as leaving the house with no pants. Many of us are so used to donning the itchy uncomfortable cloak of anxiety that—unpleasant as it is—it’s something.
To NOT be anxious would almost mean feeling grossly unprepared.
If you find yourself getting anxious about a situation, get curious: Is the anxiety making it easier to deal with, in some odd way? What would it feel like to consciously issue reminders to yourself to release that grip? What could it feel like to enter into the situation without anxiety?
Common Causes of Anxiety
Like mold, which grows in poorly ventilated damp environments, anxiety also manifests in a similar way. Being constantly on the go and working long hours without any time to pause, open the windows and let in some fresh air, may cause anxiety to build.
Money worries, health issues, general insecurity over things like being out of work, housing concerns, environmental factors… these are all common things that cause anxiety.
To a degree, experiencing some anxiety is simply part of life. It’s unrealistic to think that it’s something you can eliminate from your life entirely.
However, there’s also a point where anxiety can become too much.
What’s Making You Anxious?
If you’ve been feeling extra anxious recently, or if anxiety’s been in the periphery of your days for a few months or more, it’s time to pay attention.
Make a list of things that are making you anxious. If it’s a short-term thing, such as a new job that you’re nervous about but know that after you settle in, you’ll be fine, make a conscious effort to be kinder and gentler with yourself during the transition. Make time for things that you enjoy.
If the anxiety is just there with no discernable rhyme or reason, start to chart your anxiety daily. Note the things you did, and how anxious you were. Look for patterns if you can. Maybe there were a few days you were extra busy and didn’t get your morning walk, and felt anxious the rest of the week.
How to Know When to Get Help
While everyone is different, there are some general indicators that all point towards anxiety treatment being necessary.
Here are some signs it’s time to get help with your anxiety:
- It’s limiting your day-to-day activities
- It dominates your thoughts
- It’s making you miserable
- It’s caused your quality of life to plummet
- You don’t feel like yourself
- You’re scared, worried, and feel out of control
For those experiencing symptoms such as those (or equally unpleasant ones) therapy is one of the best ways to eradicate anxiety.
Anyone looking to address the issue so they can get excited about and enjoy life again should look into getting treatment. If you’re curious to learn more about what that entails, give us a call. The Relationship Therapy Center has two convenient Northern California locations—Roseville and Old Fair Oaks—offering anxiety treatment and more.
The truth is, the more you examine anxiety, the more you realize it exists as a misguided way of keeping us safe. Healing and discovering a better means of coping is possible, and turning the spotlight on anxiety helps light the path toward reestablishing peace and self-trust.
Begin Anxiety Treatment in Roseville, CA, Fair Oaks, CA, or Online in California:
If you are ready to find relief from your anxiety, we can help. The therapists at the Relationship Therapy Center provide anxiety treatment to help teens and adults find happiness and live without the pain of anxiety. To begin therapy at our Sacramento area locations or online, follow these steps:
- Contact the Relationship Therapy Center and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about anxiety treatment.
- Meet with one of our talented therapists.
- Begin anxiety treatment and regain control in your life.
Other Services offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
In addition to anxiety therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones heal and grow.