Our understanding of anxiety disorders has come a long way in recent decades. In return, our anxiety treatments have gradually improved to address the current findings. If you suffer from overwhelming anxiousness or an anxiety disorder, then you will likely benefit from anxiety therapy in Denver.
But which type of therapy will work best for you? How can you decide on one therapeutic technique over another? We’re here to provide some clarity on that question.
What Are Anxiety Disorders?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of U.S. adults are affected by an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. That’s a significant part of the population! Fortunately, anxiety disorders are treatable and there are many effective treatments available.
We all experience anxiety in our daily lives, but an anxiety disorder goes beyond normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness. Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that are characterized by persistent feelings of worry, anxiety, and/or fear. These feelings must be intense enough to interfere with your daily activities.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S. Here are a few examples of common anxiety conditions:
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
While common, it is essential to get a diagnosis from a certified mental health professional. These conditions can be alleviated and treated with a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Best Options for Anxiety Treatment
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for anxiety disorders. Everyone is different, which means every case of anxiety is different.
For some, one-on-one therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety. For others, a combination of medication, therapy, and other resources may provide greater relief.
The right treatment of your form of anxiety will depend entirely on your needs. It may take some trial-and-error to find the right type of therapy for your needs. Here are a few of the best local options in Denver for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most widely-used approaches for severe anxiety disorders. Evidence has shown CBT is an effective therapy for anxiety disorders (Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience).
CBT works to identify, understand, and replace negative thought and behavioral patterns with more realistic, positive, and effective ones.
Like other forms of therapy, this is an ongoing process. Over time, you’ll start to better understand your anxiety condition and develop coping skills to help you manage your symptoms.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a highly-structured approach that centers on your social relationships and roles. During treatment, you’ll work with your therapist to identify interpersonal issues you may have. These may include:
- Conflicts within your family or friend groups
- Changes in your role at work or your social roles
- Sources of unresolved grief or rage
- And even the anxiety you feel in certain social situations
As you identify those interpersonal issues, you’ll learn healthy ways to express emotions and improve your communication.
This can be a very effective approach for certain anxiety conditions, like social anxiety disorder. That said, other types of anxiety may find benefit from this therapy for anxiety.
Neurofeedback
If you’re interested in exploring treatment beyond traditional therapy, try neurofeedback therapy!
Unlike other treatments, neurofeedback relies on real-time biofeedback data to address your mental illness. The neurofeedback device will measure your brainwaves in real-time and use operant conditioning to retrain your brain.
When your brain activity is within optimal ranges, you’ll be given a reward. When your brain activity falls out of those ranges, the reward is taken away.
Over time, you’ll learn how to better control your triggers and symptoms of anxiety. It’s a drug-free, non-invasive, and all-natural therapy that could be exactly what you need.
Add Neurofeedback to Your Anxiety Therapy in Denver
If you’re ready to live a meaningful life without anxiety symptoms, we can help at Braincode Centers.
Our mental health experts have worked with every type of anxiety condition. We can help you find lasting relief from your symptoms through neurofeedback therapy. And, if needed, we can pair your treatment with our traditional counseling services as well.
Contact Braincode Centers to learn if neurofeedback is the right type of anxiety therapy in Denver for you.
