Does a psychologist play an important role in treating anxiety?
Yes, a psychologist plays a crucial role in treating anxiety. A psychologist can help you identify what is contributing to your anxiety – thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours, and help you to replace them with constructive ones that reduce your symptoms of anxiety. A psychologist can also encourage you to instil lifestyle changes that promote relaxation and soothe your anxiety.
Should I consult an online psychologist or visit in-person for anxiety?
Both online sessions and in-person sessions are found to be equally effective in terms of therapy outcomes. So it is upto your preference. Online therapy sessions could be beneficial as fitting a session in your schedule might be easier, it could save the time for commute, and if you are uncomfortable physically stepping into a psychologist’s clinic due to fear of being seen by familiar people, online sessions could be useful. In-person sessions may make it easier for you to build rapport with your therapist, your therapist would be able to learn more about you through your body language cues, and it would be devoid of any internet issues that could disrupt the session in-between.
Is it enough to consult only a psychologist for anxiety?
If your anxiety is mild and you are able to manage it, consulting a psychologist would be enough. In case your anxiety is severe and if you also have a tendency to engage in self-harm or suicidal ideations, then it would be useful to consult a psychiatrist as well.
How can I help myself with anxiety in addition to consulting a psychologist?
In addition to consulting a psychologist on a regular basis, you may incorporate certain lifestyle changes such as – practicing yoga or other forms of exercise, mindfulness, reducing caffeine intake, practicing relaxation techniques or deep breathing techniques, journal your thoughts and question them, etc.
