Anxiety Disorder | Effective Treatment
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. Stressful situations such as meeting tight deadlines or important social obligations often make us nervous or fearful. Experiencing mild anxiety may help a person become more alert and focused on facing challenging or threatening circumstances. But individuals who experience extreme fear and worry that does not subside may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. The frequency and intensity of anxiety can be overwhelming and interfere with daily functioning. Fortunately, the majority of people with an anxiety disorder improve considerably by getting effective psychological treatment.
If left untreated, anxiety disorders can have severe consequences. For example, some people who suffer from recurring panic attacks avoid any situation that they fear may trigger an attack. Consequently, such avoidance behavior may create problems by conflicting with job requirements, family obligations or other basic activities of daily living People who suffer from an untreated anxiety often also suffer from other psychological disorders, such as depression. In fact, they may have a greater tendency to abuse alcohol and other drugs. Their relationships with family members, friends and coworkers may become strained. And their job performance may decline.
Licensed psychologists, among others, are able to diagnose and treat people with anxiety using various techniques. Psychologists’ extensive training includes understanding and using a variety of psychotherapies, including CBT. CONTINUE READING.