CBT For Anxiety Disorders
For anyone suffering with an anxiety disorder it can be a very debilitating condition and have a negative effect on the quality of the person’s daily life.
Anxiety disorders can present in many ways and sufferers may experience panic attacks, phobias, obsessive thoughts or behaviours and persistent worries. These feelings of fear are physically and mentally exhausting and can impact sleep patterns, diet and relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
If a person’s anxiety become very extreme, then it’s important to recognise that they do not have to live with their anxieties or suffer in silence. Help is available and although taking the first step can be daunting, there is no need for anyone to feel trapped or isolated by their anxiety disorder.
How does cognitive behavioural therapy treat anxiety?
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can help to treat all types of anxiety disorder. It is an effective and evidence-based therapy that begins by helping people to recognise and understand the underlying causes of their fears and worries.
As the symptoms of an anxiety disorder vary for every person, it’s important to work with a qualified therapist who can identify the needs of the individual and tailor the treatment accordingly for the best results.
CBT therapists do not just look at the symptoms of the anxiety, but work with their clients to uncover the source of the anxiety and then look at situations and a less fearful way.
They discuss techniques to develop better coping mechanisms by acknowledging any events that cause anxiety levels to spike. By understanding their fears, a person can start to challenge their negative thought patterns and change their perception of the situation to make it less fearful.
Together with a therapist, clients can work through any irrational thoughts or negative behavioural patterns to replace them with more rational and positive thoughts. This will gradually reduce anxiety levels in situations that previously triggered stress and worry.
Speak with an BABCP Accredited CBT Therapist
Jamie Dempsey is a qualified and accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychologies (BABCP), who specialises in anxiety, addictions, trauma and pain management. Contact Jamie to book an appointment and begin your journey to a more fulfilling life.
