Anxiety & Complex-PTSD

Although I work with clients for anxiety from many life stressors, most of my work with anxiety has been with clients that have experienced sexual trauma. When I began working with clients for sexual trauma, I noticed the connection between anxiety disorders and a history of sexual trauma. But more often than not, the presenting reason for therapy was anxiety symptoms or symptoms of PTSD, not a sexual assault. I also realized that this is a connection that is difficult to make when it is happening to you. In these instances, there are times when stress or anxiety therapy transitions to sex therapy or sexual trauma therapy.

If you're searching for therapy for anxiety near me, it's important to find a licensed therapist or mental health therapist who understands the complex link between trauma and anxiety. Mental health care that is trauma-informed can make a significant difference in how individuals process and manage emotional distress.

With that said, most psychology books that discuss lingering effects of sexual trauma will reference anxiety & PTSD. Believe it or not, this can be from an assault or emotional trauma that occurred decades before or even in childhood.

Have you ever walked into a room and considered many aspects of the room (or people) as threats? Have you ever found yourself to be anxious in situations where others are not? Do you find yourself compelled to please others even when it does not suit you? There is a laundry list of accompanying aspects such as emotional dysregulation and a loss of your sense of self.

Characteristics of Anxiety & Complex PTSD

Anxious or irritable without a discernible reason

Quick to anger

Difficulty sleeping

Panic attacks

Hypervigilance or feeling “on edge”

Flashbacks

Nightmares

Headaches

Fear of dating

Emotional numbing to avoid feeling any specific pains

Avoiding all persons, places, and things that might trigger a memory of the event

Intrusive thoughts that playback traumatizing scenes

Difficulty concentrating

Random emotional outbursts

Avoidance of sex or intimacy

Feeling not present during sex or sex is an obligation

Hyper-sexual activity or low arousal

Physical symptoms such as muscle tension and fatigue

All of these could be symptoms of anxiety or PTSD, especially after sexual trauma. Every person is different and processes trauma differently. However, if you have a combination of these symptoms and there is no medical reason, the mental health condition could be deeper.

Treatment options for trauma are varied and valuable. Existential psychotherapy has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and PTSD. In session, we may also incorporate mindfulness, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, commitment therapy, and bilateral stimulation for trauma treatment. Working with an anxiety therapist or other mental health professionals can help you explore these options in a safe and supportive way.

Therapy sessions focus on helping you develop coping strategies that enable you to face anxiety, reduce excessive worry, and manage symptoms effectively. Whether you're dealing with generalized anxiety, trauma-induced anxiety, or comorbid conditions like bipolar disorder, the support of psychiatric providers and mental health services can be life-changing.

Anxiety in life will always be there. However, we have the ability to acquire techniques to allow it to exist without overwhelming us. These coping strategies can create changes that are incremental. However, the effect on a person’s ability to be able to sit with anxiety and not become subjugated by it is monumental. With the right support and effective therapy, healing is possible.

Houston Sex Therapy | Houston Sexual Trauma Therapy | Houston Anxiety Therapy