T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
Anxiety is like a pot of boiling water. You have to take the lid off and remove it from the heat or it will overflow and leave you feeling helpless. Let your faith overcome your fear. Open your heart and your mind to finding your purpose through the loss. Your purpose may bring you to a whole new direction within your journey. I know it has for me. He chose me to go through this loss so that I can help others through it.” Allison is such an inspiration in finding a purpose through her loss by helping others. Like the picture of her infants’ gravestones she posted on Facebook, she has used that platform to let other mothers know they are not alone. I wish I could say I share on social media my struggles and the realities of my life as bravely and boldly as Allison Thomas. For some, it’s a means of healing. But for others, social media itself can trigger anxiety simply from the pressure one can feel to portray the “perfect life.” LINDSEY SIMMONS “I’m 22 years old, and social media plays a big factor in my anxiety,” said Lindsey Simmons. “There is so much pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing and achieving in life—going to college, getting a certain job, being who your parents want
“ Social media plays a big factor inmy anxiety.There is somuch pressure to keep upwithwhat everyone else is doing and achieving in life. ” —Lindsey Simmons
Is there a harm in someone going to a walk-in clinic for an anti-anxiety prescription instead of having a treatment plan created by a psychiatrist or their primary care physician? Anxiety and panic attacks create an immense amount of suffering. I would never fault someone for seeking relief. A walk-in clinic can provide acute care. With that being said they are not set up for ongoing treatment. The best option for ongoing treatment would be a mental health professional who specializes in treatment of anxiety disorders. Based on an assessment there could be a need for a referral to a psychiatrist for added medical intervention.
What percentage of your counseling clients come for counseling due to anxiety? Approximately 35%. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of all psychiatric disorders, and are associated with a high level of associated illness. The five major types of anxiety disorders are: • Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder • Panic Disorder • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder What do you typically see as the greatest triggers and greatest help for anxiety in people?
Billy Eldridge, MS, LPC, NCC, provides many services, but primarily sees clients coping with relationships, spirituality and/ or addiction. He also provides counseling for adolescents.
Triggers are unique to the individual and type of anxiety disorder. As far as help, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most commonly used evidence based treatment available for anxiety. There are newer treatments available especially in the area of trauma related anxiety that are providing hope for those whom traditional methods have not provided relief.
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H E A L T H & W E L L N E S S
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