By Brianna Boyd

Anxiety can cause a series of issues within a person’s life. It can hinder a person’s ability to function at work, school, and socially. Anxiety can also wreak havoc on the relationships people have with their family and friends. Luckily, anxiety can be lessened with treatment. Medication does play a role in treating anxiety disorders. However, the most effective treatment is therapy, whether it is alone or in combination with medication.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Anxiety disorders are fairly common in both children and adults. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18 percent of adults in the United States and 25 percent of adolescents will experience anxiety. The major types of anxiety disorders are:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder – persistent worry or anxious feelings. Those suffering from this disorder may worry about things like health problems, finances, or that something bad is going to happen. Some symptoms of this disorder are restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and generally feeling on edge.

Panic Disorder – recurrent panic attacks that include symptoms like sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or the feeling of choking, a pounding heart/rapid heart rate, feelings of dread. Attacks may happen suddenly and without warning. Those who suffer from panic attacks may be fearful of when the next panic attack will happen.

Phobias – intense fear about specific objects or situations that can be distressing or intrusive

Social Anxiety Disorder – or “social phobia”. This disorder can cause people to be fearful of social situations where they might feel embarrassed or judged. People who suffer from this disorder will normally feel nervous in social settings, feel self-conscious in front of others, and worry about being rejected by or offending others. Some other common symptoms are having a hard time making friends, avoiding social situations, worrying for days before a social event, feeling shaky, sweaty, or nauseous when spending time in a social setting. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Sufferers of this disorder have persistent, uncontrollable feelings and thoughts, as well as routines and rituals. Some examples are compulsive hand washing in response to a fear of germs, or repeatedly checking work for errors.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – is a disorder that can develop after a person experiences severe physical or emotional trauma such as a natural disaster, serious accident, or crime. Symptoms include flashbacks of trauma, nightmares, and frightening thoughts that interfere with a person’s daily routine for months or years after the traumatic experience.

HOW LARTEY WELLNESS CAN HELP

Through their education and training, our therapists can successfully diagnose anxiety disorders. They can also find ways to teach their patients healthier and more effective ways to cope with their anxiety. A type of psychotherapy called “cognitive-behavioral therapy” is one of the most effective ways of treating anxiety disorders. Through CBT, our therapists help their patients identify and manage the biggest contributors to their anxiety.  CBT can help people change their negative thought patterns which help to reduce the likelihood and intensity of anxiety symptoms. Our therapists will also teach their patients techniques to reduce undesired behaviors that are linked to anxiety disorder.

Clients will work collaboratively with their therapist to develop these skills and techniques to cope with their anxiety. Patients should expect to practice these skills and techniques outside of their sessions to help manage their anxiety. However, our therapists will never ask a patient to do anything they do not feel comfortable doing. They will always make sure a patient has the skills to properly confront their fears.

If you suffer from anxiety, do not be fearful of asking for help. You are not alone in this. Give us a call today to set up a free consultation.