Anxiety

Anxiety is a real condition that is very common, yet under-reported. People often struggle with anxiety for years before seeking help because they are either unaware of their condition, or they have the misconception that anxiety is something they should be able to control on their own.

Judy was often called a “worry wort” by her family and friends. She cared deeply about those she loved, taking their troubles to heart on a personal level. Judy always wanted to help everyone around her, but felt overwhelmed by it all. Between struggles in her life and shouldering the weight of everyone else’s burdens, Judy felt emotionally and physically exhausted.

One morning, Judy woke up in a cold sweat. Her heart was pounding. She felt suffocated, nauseated, and dizzy. She woke her husband, “Something’s wrong. I don’t feel right at all.” They feared she was having a heart attack and called an ambulance. When the EMT’s arrived, they evaluated her and found her to be fairly stable. As a precaution, she was taken to the emergency room for examination.

As Judy sat in the hospital bed, she began to feel better. Her heart was beating normally, and she lost the feeling of dread she had earlier. The doctor came in, asking her if she had been under a lot of stress lately. Judy replied, “No more than normal.” Anxiety had become a normal part of her life, so much so that she didn’t realize that she suffered from an Anxiety Disorder. Over time, her excessive anxiety and stress lead to what the doctor diagnosed as a panic attack.

Stories like Judy’s are very common. If you might suffer from anxiety, don’t allow things to continue escalating. Although there is help for people at every level of anxiety, getting help early can prevent needless worry and suffering.

Could you be suffering from anxiety? Anxiety symptoms can differ from person to person.

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Uncontrollable thoughts, worry, or fear
• Feeling of dread, or impending danger
• Racing heartbeat
• Feeling suffocated or dizzy
• Feeling powerless
• Trouble concentrating
• Exhaustion

Anxiety manifests itself in different ways. Christian counseling for anxiety will help you understand your symptoms and offer support and solutions for overcoming the overwhelming symptoms of anxiety.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6

Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day. – Matthew 6:34

God has a plan for everyone. Learning to let go and accept that God is in control can be a powerful experience that will help you find peace in times of trouble. We understand this is easier said than done – especially for those with anxiety. Our goal is to help you find tools for dealing with anxiety as you strengthen your walk with Christ and find peace in His good grace.

If anxiety is ruling your life, there is hope. Christian counseling for anxiety can teach you how to gain control over your anxiety, no matter how hopeless you might feel. There are many counseling methods that are proven to treat anxiety. When paired with faith and the healing power of God, you will find an all-inclusive approach to healing so you can live a life of peace and happiness and form healthier relationships.
Relief is possible. Through Christian counseling for anxiety, you can:

• Gain a better understanding of your unique anxiety condition.
• Identify the underlying causes of your anxiety.
• Develop a personalized recovery plan.
• Learn how to control negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Discuss medication expectations.
• Gain skills that will help you make better choices and form healthier relationships.
• Explore faith as a cornerstone for healing.
• Gain support for lasting recovery.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our skilled and compassionate Christian counselors are dedicated to helping people like you find hope in desperate times. You don’t have to continue living with anxiety. Through faith and reputable counseling, you can find the relief you long for.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Knowing more about your anxiety will help you and your counselor determine the best way to manage your symptoms. Common anxiety disorders include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Do you worry a lot? We all do at times, but people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience chronic, excessive worry and anxiety that can be disproportionate to the situation. The causes of worry can come from most anything. You can go from things like, “What do you really mean when you say that?” To big worries like, “How am I going to pay bills this month, and plan my son’s birthday party?” Not all worry is irrational, but people with GAD seem to be stuck in a perpetual state of anxiety. Racing, uncontrollable thoughts, fear, irritability, frequent headaches and muscle tension, feeling “on edge,” and difficulty concentrating are among the most common GAD symptoms. Affecting nearly 4 million people in the U.S. each year, GAD is one of the more common anxiety disorders. Christian Counseling for anxiety can be very effective at helping you learn to understand, and control your anxiety. You will learn to recognize and re-direct stress-causing thoughts and how to limit distorted, exaggerated worry.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Imagine you’re invited to a party. How does that make you feel? Most people would probably feel excited, happy to be included, and look forward to meeting new people, talking with friends, and dressing up. For someone with social anxiety disorder situations like these can be a nightmare. Before the party starts, someone with anxiety might worry about details like what they’re going to wear, what people will think of them, saying the wrong things…or worse yet freezing up and saying nothing at all. People with a social anxiety disorder often worry about being judged, have a hard time talking with people they don’t know well, and often feel inferior to those around them. Walking into a social situation produces symptoms of panic such as sweating, racing heart, trembling, stuttering, and dizziness. All while fighting negative thoughts. Imagine trying to appear “normal” and carry on a conversation while battling these symptoms. If you can relate, you might have social anxiety. Christian counseling for anxiety will help you learn to manage these symptoms, so you can get out there and enjoy life, gain confidence, and form relationships.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, causes repeated, unwanted thoughts that usually require some sort of action to stop the thoughts. For example, someone with OCD might worry about locking their door, and in order to stop that worry, they have to lock and recheck the locks several times before they can go to bed at night. Common compulsions for people with OCD include things like washing, cleaning, counting, checking, orderliness, following a strict routine, or anything similar. The intense need to satisfy the compulsive behavior can feel impossible to control. In fact, often times when a person with OCD tries to force themselves to willfully stop the repetitive actions, they can become so stressed that the condition worsens. OCD varies in severity, but all who suffer from it can benefit from counseling. Sometimes severe cases require a combination of counseling and medical interventions. Your counselor can evaluate your unique needs and discuss your treatment options. Imagine finally being able to free yourself from unwanted compulsions. Your counselor can help you break the cycle of OCD so you can gain control over your life.

Panic Disorder

People who suffer from frequent panic attacks might have panic disorder. People who have panic attacks often confuse their symptoms with a heart attack because symptoms like shortness of breath, feeling smothered, rapid heartbeat, nausea, sweating, and dizziness are common between the two. Panic attacks often, but don’t always come with an intense feeling of dread or impending doom. These attacks can come at any time, and can be devastating for the person suffering the attacks. The cause for the attack can be an obvious stressor, or can seem to come out of nowhere. Your Christian counselor will show you how to better control your anxiety during a panic attack, find solutions for decreasing the number of attacks you have, and hopefully stop them all together. Together you will talk about things that could be causing your anxiety and find ways of dealing with those stressors in order to prevent panic attacks before they start.

Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is a form of anxiety that makes people feel a strong need collect things. They become very emotionally attached and feel intense anxiety when asked to part with their things. It becomes a problem when their habit causes them to accumulate too much, interfering with their ability to function within their home. Often people with hoarding disorder are unable to use their furniture, cook, or sleep in their beds because their home has been taken over by things they can’t bear to throw away. The kinds of things people who hoard collect can vary, including things like papers, memorabilia, or animals. Those who suffer from hoarding disorder often have the need to gain control over something, or have a deep-rooted fear of loss. Issues with depression, difficulty making decisions, and eating disorders often co-occur with hoarding disorder. If you or a loved one could be hoarding, it’s important to get help. This disorder causes extreme anxiety, impedes their hygiene and physical health, and often causes alienation from people they love. Counseling will help you understand your condition, what led you to this point in your life, and offer solutions for gaining control. Our team of Christian counselors is here for you and your family as you fight to reclaim your home, your family, and your life.

Anxiety in Relationships

Relationships can be stressful. Even good relationships can cause anxiety at times, especially when you begin to fear for the future or experience difficulty dealing with past hurts. You might even become anxious at the idea of having a relationship or have a strong fear of commitment. It’s common for people who have experienced painful relationships to carry negative emotions with them and remain fearful of pain and rejection. Causes for anxiety about relationships can come from a variety of sources. For example, someone might have a fear of commitment after witnessing someone they love deal with an abusive or emotionally turbulent relationship. Another person might struggle with anxiety related to trust issues after being betrayed in a previous relationship. Whether you are dealing with anxiety stemming from previous relationships or have had issues with the one you want to build your life with, counseling might be able to help. Forming healthy relationships is important for having a fulfilling life. If anxiety is standing in your way, we are here to help.

If you think you or a loved one might suffer from any of these anxiety conditions, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-skilled Christian counselors in Tacoma.

If you have questions or concerns about Christian counseling for anxiety, we are here to put your mind at ease. We welcome you to check out our counselor profiles, to help you find the right Christian counselor for you.

When is the best time to get help for my anxiety disorder?

The best time to seek counseling for anxiety is now. People sometimes feel that they should be able to manage their anxiety, viewing it as a sign of weakness. Anxiety disorders are very common, real conditions that usually require professional treatment. Christian counseling for anxiety can help you live a more peaceful life, one free from chronic anxiety and stress.

Are my anxiety symptoms real or just in my head?

Anxiety is very real. Everyone experiences anxiety, but some people suffer from disorders which cause persistent anxiety symptoms like worry, feelings of dread, panic, and overwhelming negative thoughts and emotions. There are several anxiety disorders, all of which can be treated through Christian counseling for anxiety.

How can Christian Counseling help me overcome anxiety?

Christian counseling is effective in helping people overcome symptoms from various anxiety disorders. Faith-based counseling operates on the belief that true healing comes when a person is made whole in all areas of their life, including mind, body, and spirit. Through Christian counseling and God’s grace, you can experience a quiet and peaceful spirit as you learn to overcome your anxiety.

Do I need medication to deal with my anxiety?

Sometimes medications can be prescribed to help people deal with anxiety. Whether you feel you need prescription meds or if you’re trying counseling as an alternative or support to medication treatments, our counselors are here to provide you with the help you need and walk you through the process on understanding what treatment or combination of treatments will work best for you. Your Christian counselor may also offer to work with your physician to develop a treatment plan when needed.

The thought of counseling makes me nervous. What should I do?

If fear is keeping you from seeking help, we encourage you to schedule a Risk-Free initial appointment with one of our Christian counselors and stick to it. We understand it takes courage to get help but we hope that by offering our Risk-Free initial appointment starting the process will be a little easier. You are brave for facing your fears, and we will do all we can do support you. Yes, some people are able to power through and eventually get better but this can be a costly journey for those around you. If you can take the first step, and attend a Risk-Free initial session, we will do our very best to make you comfortable and put your mind at ease so you can get the help you need.

Get help for your anxiety today at Tacoma Christian Counseling

Don’t continue a life riddled with anxiety. Our Christian counselors offer you a compassionate, safe place to explore your feelings, concerns, and hopes. Contact us online today, or call us at (253) 777-1997 to learn more or to schedule a risk-free initial session.