Everyone feels anxious from time to time and 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.
On the other hand, individuals who experience extreme fear and worry that does not subside may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. The frequency and intensity can be overwhelming and interfere with daily functioning. Fortunately, the majority of people with an anxiety disorder improve considerably by getting effective psychological treatment.
What are the major kinds of anxiety disorders?
There are several major types of anxiety disorders, each with its own characteristics.
- People with generalized anxiety disorder have recurring fears or worries. Some areas include health or finances, and they often have a persistent sense that something bad is about to happen. The reason for the intense feelings of anxiety may be difficult to identify. However, fears and worries are very real and often keep individuals from concentrating on daily tasks.
- Panic disorder involves sudden, unprovoked feelings of terror and dread. People who suffer from this disorder generally develop strong fears about when and where their next panic attack will occur. Consequently, they often restrict their activities.
- A related disorder involves phobias, or intense fears. This can be about certain objects or situations. Specific phobias may involve things such as encountering certain animals or flying in airplanes. Social phobias involve fear of social settings or public places.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by persistent, uncontrollable and unwanted feelings or thoughts. For example, (obsessions) and routines or rituals (compulsions) in which individuals engage to try to prevent or rid themselves of these thoughts. Examples of common compulsions include washing hands, cleaning excessively for fear of germs, or checking work repeatedly.
- Someone who suffers severe physical or emotional trauma may experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns become seriously affected by reminders of the event. Sometimes months or even years after the traumatic experience.
Symptoms:
Symptoms such as extreme fear, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, insomnia, nausea, trembling and dizziness are common in anxiety disorders. Although they may begin at any time, anxiety disorders often surface in adolescence or early adulthood. There is some evidence that anxiety disorders run in families. In addition, genes as well as early learning experiences within families seem to make some people more likely than others to experience these disorders.
Why is it important to seek treatment for these disorders?
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.
Are there effective treatments available?
Absolutely. Most cases can be treated successfully by trained mental health professionals. Research shows that a form of psychotherapy known as “cognitive-behavioral therapy” (CBT) can be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders. In fact, Psychologists use CBT to help people identify and learn to manage the factors that contribute to their anxiety.
Behavioral therapy involves using techniques to reduce or stop the undesired behaviors associated with these disorders. For example, one approach involves training patients in relaxation and deep breathing techniques. This counteracts the agitation and rapid, shallow breathing that accompany certain anxiety disorders.
Through cognitive therapy, patients learn to understand how their thoughts contribute to the symptoms. Additionally, they learn how to change those thought patterns to reduce the likelihood of occurrence. The increased cognitive awareness is often combined with behavioral techniques. CBT helps the individual gradually confront and tolerate fearful situations in a controlled, safe environment.
Along with psychotherapy, medications may have a role in treatment. In cases where medications are used, the patient’s care may be managed collaboratively by more than one provider. It is important for patients to realize that there are side effects to any drugs. Medication must be monitored closely by the provider who prescribed the medication.
How can licensed psychologists help someone suffering from an anxiety disorder?
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.
Psychologists sometimes use other approaches in addition to individual psychotherapy. For instance, group psychotherapy, can be an effective approach to providing support. Further, family psychotherapy can help family members better understand their loved one’s experience. They can learn new ways of interacting that do not reinforce the anxiety and associated dysfunctional behaviors.
Individuals may also want to consider mental health clinics or other specialized treatment programs dealing with specific anxiety disorders.
How long does psychological treatment take?
The large majority of people are able to reduce or eliminate their symptoms. Following improvement, they can return to normal levels of functioning after several months of appropriate psychotherapy. Indeed, many notice improvement in symptoms and functioning within a few treatment sessions. The patient should be comfortable from the outset with the psychotherapist. Together, the patient and psychotherapist develop an appropriate treatment plan. Furthermore, the patient’s cooperation is crucial, and there must be a strong sense that the patient and therapist are collaborating well as a team to treat the anxiety.
No one plan works well for all patients. That being the case, treatment needs to be specific to each patient and to the type of disorder. Both should work together to assess whether a treatment plan seems to be on track. Patients respond differently to treatment, and adjustments to the plan are sometimes necessary. Anxiety disorders can severely impair a person’s functioning in work, family and social environments. The prospects for long-term recovery are good for most individuals who seek professional treatment. People who suffer from anxiety disorders can work with a qualified and experienced mental health professional to help them regain control of their feelings and thoughts — and their lives.
Article By: American psychological Association
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