The popularity of online therapy or “teletherapy” was on the rise even before the COVID-19 pandemic began to change things. But in light of the virus, the world of healthcare—including mental health—has seen a large shift.
Now, online therapy has become a necessity for those who may have already been going to therapy but can no longer meet in person. For others who may not have considered therapy before, online options have become an incredible resource.
So, why is online therapy for anxiety, in particular, more important than ever? If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety, can it benefit you?
Are You Dealing With Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. In the U.S., over 40 million people over the age of 18 deal with some type of anxiety disorder.
While experiencing anxious thoughts in passing shouldn’t be alarming, having a consistent underlying fear or worry about things that may not come to pass could be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with anxiety include:
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Racing thoughts
- Unwanted thoughts
- Fatigue
- Racing heart
A “feeling of impending doom” isn’t uncommon with anxiety. Now, more than ever, it might even seem normal to have that feeling considering the state of the world due to the pandemic. There’s no question that between the uncertainty of this virus, stay-at-home orders, wearing masks, and no medication or cure for this illness, anxiety has been on the rise.
The fact that you might feel as though you can’t find help with your feelings at the moment likely only contributes to your worry. But you’re not alone! Help is available.
The Benefits of Online Anxiety Therapy
There are some misconceptions that online therapy doesn’t offer the same benefits as in-person therapy. In most cases, that isn’t true. As long as you have a strong, secure internet connection and a private area, you can reap all of the same benefits.
In fact, online anxiety therapy can be even more beneficial for people who may not have had access to a therapist before. If you live in a remote area, for example, it may not be easy to travel to a therapist who is over an hour away. Online therapy allows you to work with a professional from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, some people are more willing to open up at home. It’s a space where you’re comfortable. You can be vulnerable, and feel more like yourself. As a result, you may even get more out of sessions from home.
Don’t Wait to Treat Anxiety
No matter if your anxiety is stemming from the effects of this pandemic or if you’ve been struggling with it before, anxiety doesn’t just go away on its own.
The good news? You don’t have to go through any of it alone. In many cases, getting to the root of the problem is the first step to treat anxiety. And even during this time of social distancing, you can still find the treatment for anxiety that you deserve with online therapy.
Research has found that it works just as well as in-person therapy for anxiety. So, don’t wait to get treated just because you think that virtual session may not be effective. They are!
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Telehealth will continue to become more popular as the mental health awareness in this country continues to shift and more people are looking to address their needs even in difficult circumstances.
If you’re interested in learning more about online anxiety therapy—what to expect or how this type of treatment can help you to break free from anxiety—please, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.
