Anxiety Therapy

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults (19.1% of the population) age 18 and older every year. (Source: ADAA)

Anxiety Symptoms:

Physical symptoms can include sleeplessness, tight muscles, nausea, a constant sense of feeling tired, shortness of breath, sweating, rapid heart rate, feeling warm all over or red in the face, or panic attacks. Other symptoms include apprehension, irritability, restlessness, bad dreams, and problems concentrating. Some people find themselves imagining worst possible scenarios about situations and focusing on fears.

Types of Anxiety:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) experience a chronic level of frequent anxious feelings and excessive worry with little or no cause.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and try to use rituals to control the anxiety related to the upsetting thoughts. OCD often occurs with depression or eating disorders.

Panic Disorder

People with Panic Disorder get feelings of terror or danger without any warning, called panic attacks. They feel unreal, afraid they will lose control, or are in danger. They may be convinced they are having a heart attack, going crazy, or about to die. People with repeated panic attacks can lead very restricted lives, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as signs and symptoms develop.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after one event or multiple events that result in psychological trauma, such as disasters, military combat, threat of death, physical harm, or sexual and emotional abuse. The trauma may be re-experienced with nightmares, flashbacks or intrusive memories. Hyper vigilance and anger occur easily. PTSD severely affects ability to cope with life, and may interfere with relationships or career.

Social Anxiety

People with Social Anxiety Disorder have overwhelming anxiety about everyday social situations fear they will be harshly judged by others or do something embarrassing. Symptoms can occur with only one type of situation or may be so severe that symptoms pop up any time they are around other people. Many athletes, musicians, and actors who perform well during practice can suffer from Performance Anxiety; afraid that they will fail in front of others, freeze up, or have stage fright.

Anxiety Treatments:

Other anxiety treatments include:

• Mindfulness and relaxation training
• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Problem-solving skills
• Social skills training
• Stress management techniques
• Medication, and
• Natural remedies such as nutrition and exercise

It’s important to address other disorders that commonly occur with anxiety, such as depression.

Anxiety Resources:

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.

Freedom from Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association who seek to impact the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and related disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on mind, brain, and behavior.

Anxiety Therapy Articles

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