Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are real and quite common. However, many suffer for years as they are unaware that it is a mental problem, or they think it is something they should overcome themselves. Here is an example of what it is like to suffer from an anxiety disorder:

Daniel was considered a worrier growing up. He worried about doing things well; he worried about grades; he worried about what people thought about him. Because of this, he always went beyond what was needed so that things turned out fine. At work, this meant that he often double checked the work of his subordinates. There was no extra pay, but he had to make sure the clients were always satisfied.

One day, as he made his own personal checks of the reports he was going to present at a meeting later, he felt his chest constrict and he could not breathe. The company nurse came down to check him out and an ambulance was called to be safe. The medical tests, however, showed that he was okay. “Just a bit of nerves,” the doctor said. Daniel had been living a life filled with anxiety until it culminated in a panic attack. It made Daniel finally realize, “This is NOT how to live life.”

Situations like this are quite common for people of all ages and backgrounds. It, however, is not the right way to live. Help should be sought out so that needless worry can be stopped.

How Can I Tell If It Is Anxiety?

The symptoms of anxiety may differ from person to person. But here are some common things to watch out for:

• Uncontrollable worrisome thoughts;
• Always fearful, especially of what may happen next;
• Feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy;
• Mental and physical exhaustion;
• Shortness of breath, dizziness, racing heart;
• Difficulty concentrating.

If you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms, you ought to see a professional. Christian counseling can help you understand what is happening and how to overcome it.

There is more than just one kind of anxiety disorder. Read on to see what you might be facing.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the seemingly all-in-one anxiety issue. GAD sufferers worry excessively about everything, big or small. It can be something minor such as a comment someone made about your outfit or forgetting to reply to a friend’s text message. And it may also be something big such as worrying about not making rent next month or worrying if the right marriage partner will ever be found.

While it is natural to be concerned about issues in life, it is not natural to be constantly anxious about every little thing. GAD sufferers are often always in a state of anxiety. Their heart is racing, worrisome thoughts keep them on edge, muscles are tense, and headaches are frequent. But other than wearing themselves down, they may also be wearing out the people around them. It can be very tiresome trying to pacify someone who is bothered by almost everything, especially the small things that most people would just ignore.

Christian counseling can help a sufferer understand and control such needless anxiety. Sufferers will be taught how to redirect these thoughts, especially exaggerated worries, allowing them to just focus on what’s important.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Not everyone who wants to be alone suffers from mental issues. Some are just naturally introverts who want their own space or would just like to hang out with a select few. A sufferer of social anxiety disorder, however, believes that socializing with others is a nightmare, even if they are just meeting a small group of people.

People with social anxiety disorder have this inordinate fear of being judged. They are afraid to mess up in front of others, thinking that they will forever be branded as “weird” or “a loser.” Because of this, they have difficulty meeting new people and usually feel insecure. Hence, just entering a social situation – be it a party, a class, or a meeting – makes them stutter, sweat, and tremble. Butterflies are in their tummies and they may feel a number of body aches. Though sufferers do their best to “look normal” during such interactions, the mental and physical toll is ever-present.

For social anxiety, Christian counseling can help the sufferer manage the physical and mental symptoms that strike every time there is a social event. But most importantly, acceptance of oneself and confidence will be developed as these are necessary for building healthy relationships.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

People who have the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have repeated and unwanted thoughts and actions. Thought-wise, worrisome ideas keep replaying in their mind, even if they “know” there is no need for them. Action-wise, in order to make the troubling thoughts go away, they may repeat an action several times to quell the worry. For example, if someone with OCD is worried that intruders may enter their home, they may recheck their locks several times before they can sleep. If they are worried about losing their money, they may repetitively count their wallet’s contents.

Though the thoughts and actions may not be “harmful,” the sufferer feels much anxiety until they can finish their actions. This is why it is so hard for them to break the pattern on their own. In addition, other people view them as very strange, affecting the sufferer’s social standing.

For OCD, the Christian counselor can help the sufferer break the unwanted cycle so the person can regain control over their thoughts and their life.

Panic Disorder

A person with panic disorder frequently suffers from panic attacks. This is considered by many to be a very scary situation as it is like having a heart attack regularly. When their panic attack occurs, their heart beats rapidly; breathing becomes difficult, and they may become dizzy and nauseous. Sufferers usually feel like it is the end for them and may choose to run away (if they are still able to move) from the situation, believing it may save their life. This obviously also frightens whoever is with the sufferer as they are not sure what is really occurring.

The Christian counselor can help the sufferer learn to control themselves during an attack so things do not become even worse (since accidents may also occur because of their panicked state of mind). The counselor can also help determine the triggers of such attacks so that future incidents may be reduced or even eliminated.

Hoarding Disorder

A person with the hoarding disorder has an intense desire to collect things. When asked to give something up, even if that something is no longer usable, they become upset. While this disorder seems “harmless,” it eventually becomes a problem when there are too many things at home, disrupting their life or their family’s life.

Many times people can no longer sleep, eat, work, or study properly due to the clutter at home. The “junk” also becomes a health hazard due to accumulated dust, mildew, and even rust.

Christian counseling can help the hoarder recognize the problem of holding on to material things and teach them to let go. This helps everyone as the house is no longer filled with unnecessary items.

Anxiety in Relationships

Relationships are very important, but they can also be quite stressful at times, even the good ones. However, for some people, the idea of a relationship may have lost its luster because of trauma from the past. Some have difficulty trusting others because of a painful betrayal. Others may have been involved in, or perhaps witnessed, an abusive relationship that has now scarred how they view love and marriage.

Because of such incidents, many people are no longer willing to become emotionally involved, choosing instead a lonely, yet “safe” life. For those who have married already, their union may be in jeopardy because they are not able to fully commit to their spouse.

In Christian counseling, the past trauma will be discussed so that it no longer hurts the present. The sufferer will then learn how to trust others by first trusting in a good and loving God.

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

There are many resource materials out there on anxiety which some sufferers, or family members of the sufferer, choose to use. Others opt to go to regular therapists to get the job done. While these may be helpful to an extent, the missing key component is enhancing one’s relationship with God.

Since the beginning and even until today, God continues to bless His people. God wants you to have inner peace. But He also wants you to get to know Him more.As faith-based counselors, the building up of faith, prayer, and the study of God’s word are considered integral to holistic healing. So in addition to the approved counseling methods that we do apply, we aim to improve the sufferer’s walk with Christ. Used together, the sufferer will be able to understand the causes behind their anxiety, how to stop it, and how to prevent future incidents as their body, mind, and spirit will be strengthened.

What Specifically will You Gain

There are many benefits to Christian counseling for anxiety. You will …

• Identify the type of anxiety you have and understand its causes;
• Obtain the support you need through faith and sound counseling methods;
• Discuss medication expectations (if needed);
• Discuss medication expectations (if needed);
• Learn to control negative thought patterns and behaviors;
• Gain needed physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual relief;
• Discover how to build and maintain healthier relationships;
• Strengthen your walk with Christ.

If it is your first time to receive treatment for anxiety or if you have never tried Christian counseling, here are some answers to very common questions about it.

When should I seek help?

If you suspect you are suffering from persistent anxiety, then now is the best time to get help. The longer you wait, the higher the chance that something negative may happen to you or your loved because of your anxiety. The first step by the Christian counselor is to determine if it really is an anxiety disorder. If it is, then treatment can begin right away.

Will medication be given to me?

Sometimes medications are prescribed for anxiety. But in other cases, counseling, prayer, exercise, and other means are all that is needed. The Christian counselor will determine the best method for you. Never try to self-medicate, even if a friend who has undergone something similar suggests medication to you. Drugs of all forms can mess with your body and mind so always get professional help first before taking anything.

How helpful is Christian counseling for anxiety?

It is very effective as it not only uses sound mental help practices, it also incorporates spiritual healing. As humans, we have a body, mind, and spirit. When something is wrong, all three facets need help. While the usual counseling methods help the body and mind, the reading of Scripture and communion with God are necessary to quiet the spirit, bring inner peace, and give direction.

What if I’m a bit nervous about counseling?

It is very understandable to be nervous the first time. We at Los Angeles Christian Counseling do offer a risk-free initial appointment with a Christian counselor. If you can attend the initial session, the counselor can personally answer all your concerns so you will feel more at ease about undergoing the process with us. It is the first step to becoming whole once again.

Don’t let worry and fear prevent you from a great life.Get help now.
Anxiety can be overcome. The Christian anxiety counselors at Los Angeles Christian Counseling can help you recognize, understand, and defeat the anxiety that plagues you. Contact us to schedule your risk-free initial session, or speak first to one of our friendly office staff about our services at 949-386-7182.