Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as the response of an individual to a threat, real or imagined. It is a process, to some extent, which occurs in all living things. Anxiety isn’t always bad as it can help us cope during tense situations. It can also motivate us to work harder or stay focused when working towards a goal. Unfortunately, when chronic anxiety becomes excessive, irrational and/or debilitating, it can interfere with our overall quality of life.
Chronic anxiety is fueled by the fear of what might happen in the future. Anxiety that interferes in our ability to function in daily life, work, school, or in our relationships can become chronic. While some amount of anxiety is considered normal, if your worries and fears are preventing you from living your life, it would be helpful to seek out a therapist specializing in anxiety disorders.
According to recent mental health statistics, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States which is 18.1% of the population every year. Unlike acute anxiety which is caused by a single stressful event such as having to travel by plane, chronic anxiety disorders are present for a significant period of time without any real threat in sight.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders has shown to have positive and lasting results, with Cognitive Behavior Therapy shown to be the most effective treatment. Individuals with chronic anxiety can be successfully treated and go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although each individual suffering from chronic anxiety may have unique symptoms, there is a common thought process involved: one of irrational fear and dread. Other common anxiety symptoms include:
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is a pattern of chronic anxiety and worry over one’s daily activities and the thoughts of future events. Individuals experiencing GAD go about their day filled with amplified worry and tension, despite currently having little or nothing provoking it in their life. They anticipate disaster or are overly concerned about possible health problems, difficulties at work, money or family issues. Having chronic anxiety can lead to physical symptoms such as head and body aches, poor sleep patterns, and feeling constantly exhausted.
Panic Disorder
Individuals with Panic Disorder experience repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, chest pain, heart palpitations, or a feeling of choking. Panic attacks are so intense that one feels as if they are dying or they are about to lose control. As a result, it may lead to the development of a deep fear of having another panic attack. Panic attacks are extremely debilitating and scary. For those who have repeated panic attacks treatment can help with the eventual avoidance of places or situations for fear another panic attack will occur. A therapist will be able to help one better manage themselves when a panic attack does occur, providing the confidence to better manage oneself in times of extreme stress.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
We all become nervous or self-conscious during some point in our lives, whether it’s before giving a speech or interviewing for a new job, and it is natural to feel anxious. However, social anxiety disorder or social phobia is more than just being shy or having occasional nerves. Individuals with social phobia experience crippling anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. There is an intense fear of being watched and judged by others which is overwhelming and consuming. As a result, school, work, and daily activities are very challenging. Most with SAD recognize these fears are excessive and unreasonable but they have the inability to overcome them. In extreme or severe cases of individuals experiencing SAD, all social situations are completely avoided and they become isolated and withdrawn from society.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Individuals with OCD experience excessive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions accompanied by ritualistic behaviors intended to reduce anxiety. Those with OCD often recognize the obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors as irrational, however, they have the inability to stop them. It is normal to double-check to see if the door is locked or to be concerned about the well-being of a loved one. However, if these thoughts or behaviors become excessive, all consuming, and keeps one from participating in normal everyday life, it may be due to OCD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an anxiety disorder which may develop following a traumatic or life-threatening event. Examples of traumatic events include being in a war, an unexpected death of a loved one, being raped or assaulted, a natural disaster, or a plane/car crash. It is normal and expected to respond to initial trauma with “shock” or acute stress, and if dealt with and worked through, these symptoms gradually disappear. However, sometimes without treatment, an individual may remain in a state of mental shock and over time these symptoms may worsen, leading to PTSD. When an individual suffers from PTSD, they can experience significant problems at home, work, in close relationships and in other important areas of life.
A Specific Phobia is any type of anxiety disorder that amounts to an unreasonable or irrational fear related to contact with a specific object or certain situations. Such as having a fear of heights, closed-in spaces, flying, germs, spiders, snakes, etc. For example, Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns and Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. This irrational fear results in an individual avoiding contact with the feared object or situation and, in severe cases, any mention or picture of the object or situation.
The level of fear is disproportionate to the situation and can cause an individual to go to great lengths to avoid what it is they fear. Avoidance of the feared object or situation only results in the strengthening of the phobia. The fear becomes so intense that eventually just the idea of facing the actual phobia can bring on a panic attack or severe anxiety.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Despite the debilitating nature of anxiety disorders, there are several effective treatments available. The type of treatment approach used will depend on the type of anxiety disorder, the severity, and the therapist’s modality of treatment. Most anxiety disorders are treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of the two. Research indicates most individuals who engage in treatment for anxiety go on to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-established, and highly effective, clinical treatment for anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing negative thinking and behavior patterns. Therapy focuses on patients being actively involved in their own treatment and responsible for their own improvement results in a new sense of control in their lives.
Patients learn new skills and needed tools to manage their anxiety both now and in the future. CBT typically involves completing therapeutic assignments outside the therapy sessions such as reading and practicing what they have learned. These practice assignments are considered instrumental in the improvements and proven success of CBT.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT, which targets reducing fear and anxiety responses. During therapy, an individual person is exposed to a feared situation or object and learns to become less anxious regarding it over time. Exposure Therapy has been found to be most effective with those diagnosed with OCD and specific phobias.
Medications for Anxiety Disorders
Medication has been clinically proven to be most effective when combined with CBT. Although medication does not cure anxiety disorders, it can keep symptoms under control while an individual is engaged in therapy. It is important to give adequate time to a treatment plan in order to determine its success before deciding to seek medication treatment. Some individuals may need to try several different treatment combinations before they find the right one to help treat anxiety symptoms.
Furthermore, individuals with anxiety disorders may struggle with co-occurring problems, such as perfectionism, anger outbursts, or substance abuse which are used as negative coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety symptoms. During therapy it is important to address all significant underlying issues involving the anxiety.
Chronic anxiety is fueled by the fear of what might happen in the future. Anxiety that interferes in our ability to function in daily life, work, school, or in our relationships can become chronic. While some amount of anxiety is considered normal, if your worries and fears are preventing you from living your life, it would be helpful to seek out a therapist specializing in anxiety disorders.
According to recent mental health statistics, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States which is 18.1% of the population every year. Unlike acute anxiety which is caused by a single stressful event such as having to travel by plane, chronic anxiety disorders are present for a significant period of time without any real threat in sight.
Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders has shown to have positive and lasting results, with Cognitive Behavior Therapy shown to be the most effective treatment. Individuals with chronic anxiety can be successfully treated and go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Although each individual suffering from chronic anxiety may have unique symptoms, there is a common thought process involved: one of irrational fear and dread. Other common anxiety symptoms include:
- Feelings of panic, fear, and nervousness
- Uncontrollable, obsessive thinking
- Repeated thoughts or “flashbacks” of traumatic events
- Irrational ritualistic behaviors
- Excessive sweating or numbness in the hands or feet
- Shortness of breath, hyperventilation
- Chest pain or Heart Palpitations
- An inability to be still and calm
- Dry mouth, Nausea, Dizziness
- Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
- Being irritable
- Having muscle tension
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
- Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is a pattern of chronic anxiety and worry over one’s daily activities and the thoughts of future events. Individuals experiencing GAD go about their day filled with amplified worry and tension, despite currently having little or nothing provoking it in their life. They anticipate disaster or are overly concerned about possible health problems, difficulties at work, money or family issues. Having chronic anxiety can lead to physical symptoms such as head and body aches, poor sleep patterns, and feeling constantly exhausted.
Panic Disorder
Individuals with Panic Disorder experience repeated and unexpected attacks of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, chest pain, heart palpitations, or a feeling of choking. Panic attacks are so intense that one feels as if they are dying or they are about to lose control. As a result, it may lead to the development of a deep fear of having another panic attack. Panic attacks are extremely debilitating and scary. For those who have repeated panic attacks treatment can help with the eventual avoidance of places or situations for fear another panic attack will occur. A therapist will be able to help one better manage themselves when a panic attack does occur, providing the confidence to better manage oneself in times of extreme stress.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
We all become nervous or self-conscious during some point in our lives, whether it’s before giving a speech or interviewing for a new job, and it is natural to feel anxious. However, social anxiety disorder or social phobia is more than just being shy or having occasional nerves. Individuals with social phobia experience crippling anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. There is an intense fear of being watched and judged by others which is overwhelming and consuming. As a result, school, work, and daily activities are very challenging. Most with SAD recognize these fears are excessive and unreasonable but they have the inability to overcome them. In extreme or severe cases of individuals experiencing SAD, all social situations are completely avoided and they become isolated and withdrawn from society.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Individuals with OCD experience excessive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions accompanied by ritualistic behaviors intended to reduce anxiety. Those with OCD often recognize the obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors as irrational, however, they have the inability to stop them. It is normal to double-check to see if the door is locked or to be concerned about the well-being of a loved one. However, if these thoughts or behaviors become excessive, all consuming, and keeps one from participating in normal everyday life, it may be due to OCD.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an anxiety disorder which may develop following a traumatic or life-threatening event. Examples of traumatic events include being in a war, an unexpected death of a loved one, being raped or assaulted, a natural disaster, or a plane/car crash. It is normal and expected to respond to initial trauma with “shock” or acute stress, and if dealt with and worked through, these symptoms gradually disappear. However, sometimes without treatment, an individual may remain in a state of mental shock and over time these symptoms may worsen, leading to PTSD. When an individual suffers from PTSD, they can experience significant problems at home, work, in close relationships and in other important areas of life.
A Specific Phobia is any type of anxiety disorder that amounts to an unreasonable or irrational fear related to contact with a specific object or certain situations. Such as having a fear of heights, closed-in spaces, flying, germs, spiders, snakes, etc. For example, Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns and Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. This irrational fear results in an individual avoiding contact with the feared object or situation and, in severe cases, any mention or picture of the object or situation.
The level of fear is disproportionate to the situation and can cause an individual to go to great lengths to avoid what it is they fear. Avoidance of the feared object or situation only results in the strengthening of the phobia. The fear becomes so intense that eventually just the idea of facing the actual phobia can bring on a panic attack or severe anxiety.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Despite the debilitating nature of anxiety disorders, there are several effective treatments available. The type of treatment approach used will depend on the type of anxiety disorder, the severity, and the therapist’s modality of treatment. Most anxiety disorders are treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication, or a combination of the two. Research indicates most individuals who engage in treatment for anxiety go on to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-established, and highly effective, clinical treatment for anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing negative thinking and behavior patterns. Therapy focuses on patients being actively involved in their own treatment and responsible for their own improvement results in a new sense of control in their lives.
Patients learn new skills and needed tools to manage their anxiety both now and in the future. CBT typically involves completing therapeutic assignments outside the therapy sessions such as reading and practicing what they have learned. These practice assignments are considered instrumental in the improvements and proven success of CBT.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy is a form of CBT, which targets reducing fear and anxiety responses. During therapy, an individual person is exposed to a feared situation or object and learns to become less anxious regarding it over time. Exposure Therapy has been found to be most effective with those diagnosed with OCD and specific phobias.
Medications for Anxiety Disorders
Medication has been clinically proven to be most effective when combined with CBT. Although medication does not cure anxiety disorders, it can keep symptoms under control while an individual is engaged in therapy. It is important to give adequate time to a treatment plan in order to determine its success before deciding to seek medication treatment. Some individuals may need to try several different treatment combinations before they find the right one to help treat anxiety symptoms.
Furthermore, individuals with anxiety disorders may struggle with co-occurring problems, such as perfectionism, anger outbursts, or substance abuse which are used as negative coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety symptoms. During therapy it is important to address all significant underlying issues involving the anxiety.