Author: In Balance Counseling

therapy for anxiety

When Should You Get Therapy for Anxiety: Six Signs

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in Individual Counseling.

We all have times when we feel overwhelmed, nervous, apprehensive, or exhausted. Sometimes our work or home life can get stressful and make it hard to get through the day. However, some people struggle with a generalized anxiety disorder that makes them worried or fearful for no direct reason.

Severe anxiety disorders can even manifest in physical symptoms that can be unnerving if you don’t know what’s happening to you. This blog discusses the signs that you may need therapy for anxiety. At In Balance Counseling, we provide comprehensive cognitive-behavioral therapy for people with all types of anxiety disorders. 

If you suspect you have an anxiety disorder, contact our Tucson counseling service office to discuss your treatment options by calling (520) 722-9631.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

The mental health community recognizes many forms of anxiety. Knowing someone with an anxiety problem with different symptoms than you does not make your problem any less real. Some of the most common types of anxiety disorders are:

  • Social anxiety disorder: A fear, paranoia, or panic experienced when someone attends social functions or events with many people
  • Separation anxiety: A condition that causes a child to panic or become fearful while their parents are absent
  • Panic disorder: A condition that causes frequent panic attacks that include physical symptoms
  • Agoraphobia: This condition makes sufferers uneasy in open spaces or crowds and can even render them unable to leave their homes
  • Substance-induced anxiety: People with substance abuse problems, prescription medication side effects, or sensitivity to caffeine can experience anxiety attacks

Signs You May Need Therapy for Anxiety

Below are six signs that you should consider starting therapy for anxiety.

1. Lacking Emotional Control

It’s normal to feel sad when the anniversary of a loved one’s death comes around or you miss your family during the holidays. However, you may need therapy for anxiety if you find yourself getting unreasonably sad or angry without a clear cause.

2. Your Relationships Are Suffering

People with anxiety disorders can withdraw from friends and family or lean on them too much for support. It can put a strain on your friendships and romantic relationships.

3. You’re Always Overwhelmed

Life can get stressful, but if you constantly feel like you can’t keep up, there may be more to the issue.

4. Stress Is Affecting Your Physical Health

Chronic anxiety and stress can cause physical issues like:

  • Chest pains
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Trembling
  • Hyperventilating
  • Light sensitivity

If stress causes any of these in you, it’s time to consider therapy.

5. Forming Bad Habits

Using sex, alcohol, or drugs to cope with emotional or mental issues is a temporary solution that will only exacerbate things.

6. Old Hobbies and Activities Have Lost Their Appeal

People with anxiety disorders often feel detached from the real world and no longer have the drive for things that once pleased them.

Call In Balance Counseling

If you think you need therapy for anxiety, In Balance Counseling is here to help. Consult our dedicated mental health professionals if you live in the Tuscon, AZ, area. Why is cognitive behavioral therapy effective? Learn more by calling us at 520-722-9631.

exercise for recovery

The Significance of Exercise for Recovery From Addiction

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in Intensive Outpatient Program.

Recovery From Addiction

People often talk about “fighting” addiction, but you can’t win a fight without preparing your mind and body. You also need a team you can trust at your back. 

In Balance Counseling, the top choice for counseling in Tucson, believes in a holistic approach to recovery that includes a commitment to an intensive program. We use physical fitness and exercise for recovery from addiction.

Overcoming addiction is also about transitioning to a new lifestyle that gives addiction less power and control. Exercise can enrich and reinforce that new lifestyle so patients can surmount obstacles on the path to recovery.

Here are just a few roles a regimen of physical exercise can play in an effective active recovery plan.

Restore Your Normal Sleep Pattern

Addiction can lead people to sacrifice their basic biological needs. Altered sleep patterns is one consequence of addiction. People in recovery from addiction can suffer from insomnia that depletes their energy stores during the day. An intensive workout during the day tires out the body in a healthy way, preparing the body for restful sleep.

Better Cardiovascular Health

Drugs of abuse and other addictive substances and activities can take their toll on the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. The body of a person recovering from addiction bears the aftereffects of psychological and physical stress. 

Physical activity gets the heart pumping, improves blood flow to vital organs, and increases energy levels. Using intense exercise for recovery helps patients build the stamina they need for the other elements of an intensive treatment program.

Changing Scenery

Even if you aren’t up for a tough workout, simply going to the gym regularly is a great way to break the patterns of addiction. Establishing a new routine in new surroundings opens your mind to new ways of thinking. 

As addiction progresses, the brain associates certain places (bars, casinos, old hangouts) with cravings and highs. If you don’t usually go to the gym, it can be a healthy place to find a fresh start.

Stress Reduction

Many people with addictions turn to them to escape stress, only to find their troubles growing and multiplying. Exercise is a productive and sustainable way to reduce stress. During the recovery process, it offers a better way to cope and regroup when life seems overwhelming.

Rediscover the Natural Joys of Life

A healthy, well-balanced life offers many pathways to pleasure, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. A person in the grip of addiction sees those other sources of pleasure fade as their addiction takes over. Physical exercise provides a sense of accomplishment, provides measurable goals, and gives you a natural sense of euphoria. 

Find Balance and Strength with Intensive Counseling Services from In Balance Counseling

Do you struggle with addiction? In Balance Counseling has information and guidance for people in every stage of the recovery process. For help with addiction in Tucson, AZ, and advice on how to use exercise for recovery, call In Balance Counseling at 520-722-9631. For more information, read our tips on avoiding addiction relapse.

how to avoid relapse in addiction

How To Avoid Relapse In Addiction: Top Tips

Written by In Balance Counseling on . Posted in Relapse Prevention Tips.

Did you know that roughly 50% of people recovering from addiction are statistically likely to relapse? If you or a loved one are in recovery, consider the following tips on how to avoid relapse in addiction. 

If you or a loved one are struggling in addiction recovery, you can find local intensive counseling in Tucson, AZ. Never hesitate to contact knowledgeable addiction recovery professionals for more guidance in your recovery journey.

Ten Relapse Prevention Tips

A substance use disorder is a chronic condition that has no cure. However, you can take proactive steps to prevent relapse.

#1 Recognize Common Triggers

Triggers can include internal or external experiences or situations that may influence a person to begin using substances again. Examples of triggers include negative emotions like boredom, anger, or reminders of past drug use.

#2 Build a Support Network

Support groups, sponsors, and new friends can reduce the risk of relapse. These social ties prevent isolation. They also encourage accountability and education.

#3 Exercise Regularly

Becoming more active is another helpful tip for how to avoid relapse in addiction. Regular physical activity releases mood-regulating endorphins.

#4 Reflect by Using a Journal

By writing down your feelings and experiences each day, you can learn more about yourself. Self-introspection often leads to the realization of potential goals and interests. For instance, it can help you plan steps to pursue a career.

#5 Explore Hobbies and Interests

New or old hobbies and interests are excellent tools in preventing idleness. Exploring new activities can fill the time, deterring boredom and other unwanted urges.

#6 Seek Individual Counseling

The recovery process is a lifelong journey with many milestones. Individual counseling can help you understand your impulses and work through specific issues privately.

#7 Structured Self-Care

Addiction recovery often involves dealing with insomnia and fatigue. These symptoms can act as triggers to use substances again. Therefore, a healthy self-care routine includes setting a schedule for healthy meals, regular exercise, and quality sleep—and sticking to it.

#8 Grounding and Meditation Techniques

Grounding and meditation techniques are valuable tools for avoiding relapse into addiction. Mindfulness and self-awareness help you overcome negative thoughts and build self-control. Explore various mindfulness techniques to find the ones that work best for you.

#9 Consider the Consequences

If you find yourself in a situation that tempts you to relapse into old habits, it’s advisable to “play the tape.” That is, consider the long-term consequences or results of using an addictive substance again.

#10 Get Professional Help

If you are struggling with avoiding relapse, you can work with a long-term treatment program to help you overcome the obstacles you are facing. Such a  program will motivate you to face specific challenges. You will receive exceptional support through the challenging recovery process.

We know these tips on how to avoid relapse in addiction recovery are just a small part of the process. Learn more about the intensive outpatient program at In Balance Counseling in Tucson, AZ. You can also call (520) 722-9631 today.