Anxiety

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, you may be struggling with anxiety to the point of needing help from a counselor.

• Do you experience intense fear or panic?
• Do you often feel like something bad is about to happen and find yourself looking for the impending doom you feel is looming?
• Do you always feel on edge, imagining the worst-case scenarios?
• Do you worry or feel afraid often?
• Do you worry or obsess about the same things repeatedly?
• Do you avoid certain situations or people because they lead to increased worry, fear, or panic?
• Do you panic in social situations and try to avoid them?
• Do you say “yes” to people, even when you want/need to say “no”, because you feel like you can’t handle the conflict or want to avoid the panic in the response of letting someone down?
• Is nervousness keeping you from living and pushing you further and further away from your dreams right now?

If these questions resonate with you, Christian counseling will help you find practical help for your anxiety.

Anxiety symptoms can include:

• Emotional symptoms: feeling overwhelmed, crying, irritability, anger, suicidal thoughts
• Physical symptoms: chest pain, rapid heart palpitations, muscle tension, sweating, nausea, headaches, teeth grinding, fatigue
• Behavioral symptoms: withdrawal, difficulty sleeping, irrational thinking

Since these symptoms take a big toll on you, it’s worthwhile to reach out for help if you are having trouble handling them.

Types of Anxiety 

Anxiety disorders can vary and manifest differently from person to person. That is why Christian counseling for anxiety in Texas is beneficial to help discover the root of what is trying to steal your joy and to set a plan that would benefit you, your needs, your triggers, and your personality.

1. Generalized anxiety disorder: excessive worry about simple events or occurrences; severe worry that occupies the mind constantly about everything, making it difficult to complete simple tasks
2. Panic disorder: manifested when a person feels sudden terror and often occurs without warning; occurs repeatedly which leads to panic attacks
3. Post-traumatic stress disorder: extreme anxiety that occurs following a traumatic or life-threatening event
4. Obsessive compulsive disorder: unwanted thoughts, behaviors, and obsessions that feel impossible to control
5. Social anxiety disorder: debilitating fear of how others view you; severe fear of being humiliated
6. Hoarding disorder: inability to discard possessions with a dysfunctional attachment to items that have no sentiment
7. Separation anxiety disorder: intense fear of being separated from a certain person/thing
8. Specific phobias: unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a certain object, situation, or activity

The beautiful thing about counseling is that it can be tailored to you and your specific needs. Counseling for anxiety is crucial for your overall physical and emotional health. If left unaddressed, anxiety can become crippling, incapacitating, and steal the joy from everyday life and milestones that occur in your life. Anxiety tries to steal the joy from your memory-making by making it difficult to do the things you love to do. Anxiety tries to tell you that your dreams are not attainable — but they are!

The first step is realizing that your journey is unique. It is vital not to compare your physical symptoms, racing thoughts, or worries to your friend or coworker. It is imperative that you choose health and healing in your own unique journey. At Texas Christian Counseling, we offer judgment-free treatment available to you where your well-being, dreams, faith, hope, and joy are the primary goal. The future is yours if you are willing to take the first step.

Treatment for Anxiety in Texas 

Cognitive therapy examines how negative thoughts (cognitions) contribute to anxiety. Behavior therapy examines how you respond and react in situations that trigger anxiety.

At Texas Christian Counseling, the goal is to help lower your anxiety levels, give you positive ways to cope, and help you conquer your fears. The possibilities for your future are endless when anxiety is no longer in the driver’s seat of your life. Christian counseling in Texas uses faith-based insight, addresses your spiritual needs, and uses scripture that speaks straight to your heart and soul.

While medications are sometimes used to treat anxiety, counseling treats the root of your anxiety and medications only treat the symptoms of your anxiety. The licensed counselors at Texas Christian Counseling can help you really unpack and peel back the layers on why you are feeling anxious, experiencing panic attacks, or refuse to do the things you enjoy.

Anxiety in Everyday Life 

While anxiety does not have an on and off switch that can easily be disconnected, there are steps you can begin taking now toward living out your full God-given potential.

• Find a therapist. The first step toward long-term solutions and your overall spiritual, emotional, and physical healthy is to schedule your appointment with a Christian counselor who wants to invest in your future. Feel free to browse our online counselor directory to find the best fit for you and your needs. If anxious thoughts try to creep in, remember: this is a golden opportunity to stand up to anxiety and choose healing. Choose your future. Choose your dreams. Choose God’s best for you.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Start by limiting negative news intake. Rest. Exercise. Eat a balanced diet. While this might seem simple, little changes can make a big difference.
• Use stress energy for good. Get creative — use your passions for something positive. Draw, sing, paint, dance, write. Take time to explore the passions and talents God has given you. This will help you destress and take a physical and emotional break from your every day to-do’s. Anxiety steals a lot of energy — try doing things where you can channel that energy for things that are good for your soul and creative side.
• Start a journaling practice. Whether you want to reflect on what you accomplished today or make a to-do list for tomorrow to declutter your racing thoughts, journaling can be a rewarding mindfulness practice. Those whose minds are constantly racing find this helpful in trying to refocus your thoughts on the good things that are happening.
• Reduce stress in your life. When you can cut unnecessary stress out of your life, do it! Start by making a list of the major stressors in your life right now and see if there is something you can eliminate right off the bat. Perhaps you’ve overcommitted to too many things and it’s time to reevaluate. If you are stressed by the many demands of home and work, talk to your spouse, and see what you and your family can work together in accomplishing.
• Identity the negative thoughts. One step toward battling anxiety is identifying the negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. When you tell yourself, “I can’t ever accomplish my dreams,” turn it into a positive affirmation and recite Scripture that goes straight to your heartstrings. “With God, I can accomplish this!” “With hard work, my dreams are attainable and I’m not giving up!” Your thoughts need positives ones to feed on or else the negative takes over and limits your belief and confidence.
• Practice gratitude. Think about what you’re grateful for each day. This can cultivate positive feelings and benefit your physical and mental health. Try to name at least one thing you are grateful for to end and begin your day. Talk about the things you are grateful for at the dinner table. Wake up and thank the Lord for something or someone in your life.
• Trust God with your future. When anxiety makes you feel like your world is constantly spinning, remember — God does not change and he will not abandon you — not when things are going well or when you feel they are spiraling out of control.

Psalm 94:19 NIV says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

When you have a panic attack, God is there, ready to hold your hand. 

When you are questioning your worth, God says you are valuable and chosen. 

When you feel like your future is unknown, God says there is beautiful hope. 

When you feel like you are facing a hardship alone, God says he is in the trenches with you and will protect you.

Proverbs 12:25 NIV states, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

• Start by speaking kindly to your soul today.
• Offer yourself grace.
• Schedule your counseling session.
• Say YES to your dreams.
• Choose the hope of Jesus.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your counseling journey, we invite you to contact us today by phone or by using one of the online contact forms available on the website. We hope to hear from you soon!