“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”
― Søren Kierkegaard
About Therapy for Anxiety
Do you struggle with anxiety? Have you felt nervous, tense, or on-edge in social situations? Do your thoughts keep you up at night, racing through your worries about the future?
Our anxiety therapists are here for you.
Taconic Psychiatry provides comprehensive, holistic treatment for people who suffer from anxiety. We serve clients here in Manchester and all across Vermont – people just like you. No one should have to struggle with fear and worry alone. If you are interested and ready to get started, contact us today.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotional response to an anticipated threat or negative outcome.
But most people don’t know that, in healthy doses, anxiety is actually quite helpful. If you didn’t feel anxious about passing an exam in school, you might not feel motivated to study. If you didn’t worry about being hit by a car, you might not look both ways when crossing the street. Anxiety gives us the energy and drive to stay on top of our responsibilities and keep ourselves safe.
Anxiety overload puts the body in a state of high alert, one that helps us deal with whatever stress life has thrown our way. This is perfectly fine when it is manageable or when it only happens on occasion.
However, when the anxiety is overwhelming or chronic, the body suffers. People who struggle with unhealthy anxiety often develop serious medical issues, such as high blood pressure and decreased immune function. They often experience decreased productivity at work and satisfaction with life. Thankfully, things can get better with the right support.
Many of us suffer from unhealthy and unhelpful anxiety:
Why do I struggle with anxiety?
Part of what we do in therapy involves seeking answers to this question!
Anxiety sometimes happens when people try to control themselves. If your mother makes you angry, but you aren’t allowed to be angry with her, you might feel worried or tense instead. This can also happen when you are trying to perform, such as giving a speech, because you want to avoid making a fool of yourself.
Some people experience anxiety because of how they were raised or how they were treated as a child. If your parents were inconsistent, absent, angry, or abusive, those experiences might have made it difficult for you to learn to regulate your emotions. These memories can leave lasting emotional wounds that bleed into our view of ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us.
The anxiety may be rooted in your genes. Anxiety is very heritable, which means it might run in your family. The symptoms of anxiety are also very easy to notice as they come up in the body – racing heart, sweating, shaking, tension.
Maybe the anxiety started to emerge after a traumatic life event. If you experienced abuse, a near-death experience (e.g., car accident), bullying, or an act of violence, your nervous system might still be shaken by what you went through. You might even be doubting your sense of safety and security about the future.
Or perhaps, the anxiety showed up “out of nowhere,” and now you are just trying to get back to the way things were.
Fortunately, no matter what caused it, your anxiety is very treatable. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek psychiatric treatment because it truly works – and it can work for you.
How does therapy for anxiety work?
Anxiety is best treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy for anxiety offers a chance for you to get at the core of the problem and find lasting freedom from anxiety. Psychologists like Taconic Psychiatry’s Dr. Ben Stillman specialize in helping you address the underlying issues while making meaningful changes to your life. If your anxiety comes from childhood pain or traumatic event, we work together to help you heal. If it comes from suppressing or your emotions, you can learn to be vulnerable and open in a healthy way. You get to learn healthy coping strategies, find freedom from the past and reclaim your sense of wellness.
Medication for anxiety offers a bottom-up solution to your symptoms by addressing the physiological underpinnings of anxious symptoms. Dr. Adam Pruett, our holistic psychiatrist, can help you find the optimal balance of traditional medicine, herbs/supplements, and dietary solutions to help reduce your symptoms. These changes can provide rapid relief from anxiety so that you can focus on getting your life back on track.
Taconic Psychiatry believes in providing comprehensive, evidence-based care for our community here in Manchester. We have helped thousands of people overcome this, and we want to help you, too.
Get Started with Taconic Psychiatry
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about therapy for anxiety.
Let’s work together!
All of our services are entirely confidential and offered both online as well as in person. We work with teens (16+) and adults from all over Vermont: Manchester, Dorset, Bennington, Rutland, Londonderry, Winhall, Arlington, Shaftsbury, West Dover, and beyond. We work collaboratively to help you reach your goals as efficiently and effectively as possible. We strive to help you feel supported, understood, and cared for as you make your wellness journey.
No matter how long you’ve struggled, no matter how hopeless things might seem, we can help.
With the help of Drs. Pruett and Stillman, you can begin to:
- Overcome worry and stress
- Feel relaxed and calm
- Manage medication and other medical concerns
- Regain your sense of focus
- Set new, healthier habits
- Increase your productivity
- Live a life full of wellness