7 reasons why going to a psychologist is beneficial in the face of anxiety

Reasons why, in the face of anxiety problems, it is important to go to psychotherapy.

Mental health problems and disturbances that erode emotional well-being can take many different forms, but in practice, a large proportion of those who find it necessary to seek psychotherapy suffer from anxiety..

Anxiety disorders and excessive anxiety that is not considered psychopathological are among the most common reasons for consultation, and are also very common among those who do not go to a psychologist even though they need one.

The latter occurs because, among other things, resigning oneself to suffering stress and anxious disorders is very normalized; there are many who take it for granted that this discomfort is an irremediable part of life and of the efforts that must be made to "move forward".

However, the truth is that these dysfunctional beliefs are precisely a brake on personal and professional development: not seeing that these situations deserve to be managed with professional help is part of the problem.

Which are the benefits of going to the psychologist before the problems of anxiety?

Within the psychological alterations associated to an excess or to a bad handling of the anxiety there are many variations, but all of them have in common that can be treated effectively through psychotherapy..

Therefore, here we will review the main reasons why going to a psychologist is beneficial to overcome anxiety problems.

1. It allows us to detect problematic ways of dealing with anxiety.

In the absence of psychological support, it is easy for those suffering from an anxiety problem to develop a certain routine or habit of coping with anxiety..

In many cases, these patterns of behavior do not just provide momentary relief from discomfort; they are in themselves added problems. Clear examples of this can be found in those who "eliminate tension" by binge eating, Smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages, or even by self-injury.

Therapy helps to become aware of such problematic behaviors and to stop them in their tracks. and to stop them in their tracks, providing alternatives to reduce the discomfort.

2. It helps to know better the source of that anxiety

Self-knowledge is another of the pillars of psychotherapy applied to anxiety problems.

In this case, the patient is trained in certain procedures that serve to adopt a broad point of view about what is happening to him/her on an emotional level, without being "trapped" by obsessions and recurrent thoughts that in other situations would have captured the patient's attention.It is a way to let go of obsessions and recurrent thoughts that in other situations would have totally captured the person's attentional focus without letting it go.

3. It serves to let go of problematic beliefs.

Anxiety is almost always based on dysfunctional beliefs to which we cling without realizing that they only serve to perpetuate the problem. Negative ideas about oneself, catastrophic forecasts about what will happen to us? mental contents that play against us instead of preparing us for real dangers and risks..

For this reason, the psychologist's office also helps people to detect and question these internalized erroneous beliefs.

4. It allows to preserve the quality of sleep

One of the first victims of anxiety problems is our ability to sleep well.. In addition, not getting enough rest has in turn very negative effects on mental health, and in fact, also exposes us more to anxiety and stress, thus creating a vicious circle. Therefore, in psychotherapy we work on making the person develop behavioral patterns aimed at preventing sleep problems.

5. It is useful to prevent anxiety from deteriorating social relationships.

Anxiety problems are not only reflected in what happens to the person who develops them, but also has implications for the way in which the person interacts with others. In this sense, going to a psychologist is also useful for the individual to the individual has tools to manage that propensity to frustration, irritability and ultimately the little patience characteristic of those who are anxious. characteristic of those who are anxious.

6. It makes it possible to overcome one's fears

Almost always, when being in front of a problem of anxiety, it becomes necessary to learn how to face something that awakens fear or anguish in us.. In therapy the tools are given to achieve this by going through a curve of ascending difficulty and adapted to the capacities that the patient has at that given moment, counting on the supervision of the psychologist.

7. If possible, the person's relatives are advised.

Often, in therapy we also work with the person's loved ones so that, in the family or couple environment, they can act as helpers in the therapeutic process. However, this without violating the confidentiality of the private information information shared in the sessions.

Are you looking for psychological assistance for anxiety?

If you want to have professional support for the discomfort caused by anxiety, you can count on us. The team of psychotherapists at Vibra Bienestar will assist you by addressing your specific case from the most personalized attention, either in person at our center in Madrid or through online therapy by video call.

Bibliographical references:

• Kendler, K.S. (2004). Major Depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. FOCUS. 2(3): pp. 416 - 425.
• Nestadt, G.; Samuels, J.; Riddle, M.A.; Liang, K.I. et.al. (2001). The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety and affective disorders: results from the Johns Hopkins OCD Family Study. Psychological Medicine, 31(3): pp. 481 - 487.
• Settipani, C.A.; Kendall, P.C.. (2013). Social functioning in youth with anxiety disorders: association with anxiety severity and outcomes from cognitive-behavioral therapy. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 44(1): pp. 1 - 18.
• Sylvers, P.; Lilienfeld, S.O.; LaPrairie, J.L. (2011). Differences between trait fear and trait anxiety: implications for psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(1): pp. 122 - 137.