Are You Stuck In Your Own Head So Much That You Cannot Relax?

Do you feel unable to break out of your anxious mindset? Have you previously undergone therapy sessions to address your anxiety but feel you have not been able to get to the root of the problem? Perhaps you have learned coping mechanisms in the past, but they haven’t been effective at reducing your stress.

It is possible that anxiety has been a constant presence in your life, and you struggle with self-doubt and worry when faced with challenging situations. You may strive for perfection but feel unsatisfied with your work and feel like an imposter in your career. Seeking approval from others may also be a common theme in your life, as you constantly worry that you’re not good enough.

If this resonates with you, rest assured that many people experience similar struggles. However, you do not have to let anxiety control your life. There are effective ways to address, overcome, and take control of your thoughts and actions.

Anxiety Can Make You Feel On Edge At All Times

Have you ever felt lost and overwhelmed at work, constantly stuck in your own head? Despite getting your work done, perhaps you feel a sense of sadness, loneliness, and fear of rejection by the end of each day. You worry that your efforts may not be appreciated or deemed valuable.

Do you find yourself disconnected from your emotions, only familiar with feelings of anxiety and nervousness? Maybe relaxation seems unattainable, and you rarely feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. You are stuck in your head, replaying worse-case scenarios repeatedly.

All of these feelings are preventing you from thoroughly enjoying life. You may want to escape from your anxiety-ridden mind, but you are not sure how to do so. Thankfully, it is possible to achieve a calmer, more fulfilling life with the help of anxiety therapy at New Insights Psychotherapy Center.

According To Therapists, Anxiety Is A Very Regular Occurrence

It is not uncommon for therapists to encounter cases of anxiety, which often goes hand in hand with depression. Many individuals work in competitive careers, where they need to constantly push themselves to get ahead. This pressure to perform may have been reinforced by messages from their family, which emphasized that they are “special” and are always expected to give their best.

Additionally, the rising cost of living means that people need to continue working hard to remain competitive, which increases anxiety about job performance. On a personal level, remote working and reduced face-to-face interactions with people may exacerbate feelings of isolation.

The reliance on social media and the constant exposure to images of perfection does not help anxiety, either. Although online interactions are becoming increasingly prevalent, it is important to remember that the images presented online do not always reflect reality. Many times, people end up comparing themselves to standards of looks, popularity, and career success that simply aren’t realistic. 

Anxiety therapy can help you maintain a healthier perspective and keep your professional and online endeavors in check.

Therapy Can Help You Discover Your Own Curiosity And Reduce Your Anxiety 

As an anxiety therapist at New Insights Psychotherapy Center, my approach involves asking questions that invite you to reflect on and become curious about your thought process. When beneficial, I also provide psychoeducation to normalize anxiety therapy and help you understand the emotions you experience. Psychoeducation includes describing what is happening in your mind and teaching you mindfulness practices.

I believe in creating a safe space for you to explore and discover your own curiosity, allowing you to understand anxiety on a deeper level. My role is to facilitate your process and guide you towards finding the answers within yourself. I’ll begin by asking questions about your daily life and the anxiety symptoms you experience. Your answers will help me dive deeper into your thoughts and reflections about anxiety. These questions can spark a natural exploration within you and help you break free from negative thought patterns.

Modalities Used For Anxiety Treatment 

Once I ask my questions about the anxiety you are experiencing, we can start looking at anxiety treatments. Some of my methods include:

• Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT): "Mentalization is defined as the capacity to "read, access and reflect on mental states (e.g., thoughts, emotions, desires, attitudes) in ourselves as well as other people." From: Encyclopedia of Mental Health (Third Edition) 2023. In therapy, one way this may look is to slow down in the moment, noting how anxiety has been triggered in the session. Conversation may stop and I may ask you to sit and notice what is being felt on the inside, and what is noticed on the outside. I may ask you to describe what you perceive happening internally and externally.  The intent is to help bring down the heightened level of anxiety by asking more reflective questions. This self reflection is the act of emotion regulation. It is essentially the opposite of reacting. Reacting is often what we all do when we are so highly anxious. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach can help you recognize any faulty thinking patterns that are fueling your anxiety and see if there’s actually evidence to support them. This way, you’ll be able to challenge thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “My life will never work out” and see your story from a more realistic viewpoint. 

• Mindfulness:  Mindfulness is so critical for helping to decrease suffering. The more aware and present we are to the moment, the less we are in our heads ruminating over potential bad happenings, or worrying about others not liking us or approving of our efforts. To be fully mindful, we are fully present. It is not possible to be mindful and in our heads at the same time.  Therefore, through simple practices of deep breathing, and other easy mindfulness exercises, the process can begin where you may eventually feel more empowered knowing you can actually get a handle on the anxiety without letting it take over. 

I understand that you want to get rid of your anxiety as quickly as possible and that you may be exhausted and limited by the constant presence of this emotion. However, it is important to remember that our minds are powerful, and we do have some control over our thoughts and feelings. Just because you are experiencing anxiety doesn’t mean that you are powerless to manage it more effectively. There are techniques and strategies that can help you reduce your anxiety levels, and with practice, you can learn to feel more in control of your emotions.

You May Be Interested In Anxiety Therapy But Have Some Questions… 

Will talking about my anxiety make it worse?

Taking the step to seek help from a psychologist and discussing private issues like anxiety can be a challenging task, especially when no one knows about your struggles. However, it takes immense courage to take that bold step.

 As a therapist, I always assure my clients that therapy sessions will proceed at their preferred pace. Sometimes, we may have to begin by discussing your feelings about seeking help and learning coping mechanisms to manage anxiety before delving into deeper issues. This is quite common, and there is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed.

I have tried therapy before, and nothing changed. How will this be any different?

It is understandable to have mixed feelings about seeking therapy again if you have lived with anxiety for many years and worked with various professionals before. It is essential to consider what approach your previous therapists implemented, as we all work differently. If you want to delve deeper into the root of the issue rather than just learning skills, I may potentially be a good fit for you. My approach is very in-depth and goes beyond mere surface solutions, which makes it more effective in the long term than therapeutic approaches that are more focused on tools and strategies. 

Should I be concerned that I will become reliant on therapy?

As a psychologist, I am a guide who assists individuals in discovering new ways to help themselves. My primary role is facilitating change and empowering you to take charge of your life. I understand you may require support during this process, and I am here to provide that.

However, please note that our sessions are meant to help you develop new insights and awareness into yourself, so that your reliance on therapy will diminish over time. Effective therapy empowers individuals to learn how to help themselves.

Are You Ready To Feel Empowered And Manage Your Anxiety?

If you are ready to dive deeper into yourself than you ever have before and learn how to manage your anxiety, reach out or call Liesl Scalzitti at (520) 365-0058 for a free 20-minute consultation. 

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