SIKESTON A class at Bootheel Counseling Services aims to help those suffering from anxiety.
The four free 30-minute anxiety classes are held from 11-11:30 a.m. on Thursdays over Zoom.
The goal is to provide information to people to help them understand anxiety, said Anastasia Kinsey, a clinical therapist at BCS who leads the classes. The first class was completed on (Feb. 4) and it was about background information about anxiety. We talked about the definition of anxiety, difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder, different types of anxiety disorders and how anxiety can impact your life.
The second class was held Feb. 18 with a discussion on the cycle of anxiety and goals and treatment for anxiety.
The next class is set for Thursday at 11 a.m.
It is going to be about the importance of a self-care plan and boundaries to help lessen anxiety symptoms, Kinsey said. It will also help inform people about how to help develop their own self-care plan.
The final class will be March 4 and will discuss specific treatments for anxiety like breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery and mindfulness.
Kinsey said a lot of people suffer from anxiety, but that doesnt mean that they have an anxiety disorder.
According to the DSM-5 (book that we use to diagnosis different disorders), a persons anxiety has to impact the way that they function. To be classified as an anxiety disorder, the person has to be dealing with excessive anxiety for at least six months and it has to disrupt their functioning at school, work, home, relationships, etc.
Kinsey said there are different types of anxiety disorders: panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety and social anxiety.
I have seen an increase specifically of agoraphobia and generalized anxiety disorders since COVID-19, Kinsey said. A lot of people report that they have excessive worry about what is going to happen if they leave their house. Specifically, they have fears that if they leave home they will get the virus or give it to someone else. A lot of people arent getting any face-to-face social interactions.
The class is free and anyone can attend. To join the class at: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 930 4233 8114. Passcode: 767332.