ANXIETY DISORDERS
Do you feel overwhelmed by worry, fear, or panic? At New Horizons, we understand the debilitating effects of anxiety disorders. Our therapists utilize DBT-informed therapy to help you manage anxiety, reduce its impact on your life, and reclaim a sense of peace and well-being.
What are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent worry, fear, and apprehension. These feelings can be triggered by specific situations or objects, or they may be generalized and pervasive, impacting various aspects of your life.
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Common anxiety disorders include:
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic and excessive worry about everyday events and activities.
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Panic Disorder: Recurring panic attacks, characterized by intense fear and physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, and shortness of breath.
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Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations and scrutiny from others.
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Specific Phobias: Irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as spiders, heights, or flying.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Recurring unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety.
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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
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How DBT Can Help with Anxiety:
DBT skills can be particularly helpful for managing anxiety by:
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Increasing Mindfulness: Learn to observe your anxious thoughts and feelings without judgment, reducing their power to overwhelm you.
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Improving Distress Tolerance: Develop coping strategies to navigate anxiety-provoking situations and manage intense emotions.
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Regulating Emotions: Understand the root of your anxiety and develop skills to manage emotional reactivity and reduce vulnerability to anxiety triggers.
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Enhancing Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicate your needs assertively, build supportive relationships, and set boundaries to reduce interpersonal anxiety.
DBT-Informed Therapy for Anxiety at New Horizons:
Our therapists integrate DBT skills and principles into individual therapy sessions, tailoring treatment to your specific anxiety disorder and needs. We will help you:
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Identify your anxiety triggers: Understand the situations, thoughts, or feelings that contribute to your anxiety.
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Challenge unhelpful thoughts: Learn to identify and challenge negative or distorted thinking patterns that fuel anxiety.
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Develop coping strategies: Practice mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation skills to manage anxiety effectively.
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Face your fears: Gradually confront anxiety-provoking situations in a safe and supportive environment.
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Improve your quality of life: Reduce the impact of anxiety on your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
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Next Steps: