Anxiety disorders are complex mental health issues. They are difficult to treat with many experts opting for a multi-pronged approach. In addition to medications, they might recommend various forms of therapy based on patient compatibility. Examples include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, art therapy, interpersonal therapy, and more. Even with all of these tools available, people will need to temper their expectations. Progress is seldom linear. There will be ups and downs throughout the treatment period. Anxiety will not go away overnight. It can take several months or even years of therapy to see significant changes. Below are some of the ways to improve the outcome for anxiety therapy:
Stay Honest and Transparent
You need to develop trust with your therapist. Be honest when answering questions about your past, your feelings, and your thoughts. This will ultimately help you in discovering the roots of the problem and figuring out possible solutions. If you are having trouble sharing certain things, then stick with what you are comfortable with for now and try to push your own boundaries later. Ideally, you should get to a point where you can tell your therapist anything that is on your mind. We recommend kirayakubov.com.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
It does not have to be a one-way street. You can also ask questions to your therapist. In fact, you should not hesitate making inquiries since this is a great way to learn more about mental health. Maximize the fountain of knowledge that is right in front of you. You may also be curious about their thoughts and experiences regarding certain topics. The questions that you ask could also be interesting for them as these provide a window into your mind. They will welcome these so feel free to do it.
Build a Solid Support System
The therapy sessions will only run for an hour or so a few times each week. The rest of your days will be spent outside in the real world beyond the reach of your therapist. You need to build a solid support system that can help you cope with the challenges of life after your sessions end. It would be nice to have a supportive family whether you are related by blood or not. Being in a group with similar interests is also a good thing since you can explore your passions while kindred spirits cheer you on.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
You cannot have a healthy mind without a healthy body. These two are closely linked. As much as possible, maintain a healthy lifestyle to support your recovery from anxiety. Your therapist may be able to provide general guidelines as to how you can accomplish this. Take care of the basics at the very least. Try to get regular exercise several times a week, eat balanced meals, sleep around 8 hours each night, and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, cigarette smoke, and junk food.
Reduce Life Stressors
Anxieties are often triggered or made worse by stress. Try to reduce the stressors in your life. For example, you can clean up, declutter, and organize your room to improve your immediate environment. You can do the same with the rest of the house. You might also limit your access to the news if the reports are making your anxious about the world. You may spend less time with people who trigger your anxieties and refrain from activities that have similar effects.