What Is Anxiety?

 

Anxiety is something we’ve all experienced and is a normal response when life stresses are particularly intense; but anxiety that is chronic hurts and cripples daily life.  Everything becomes affected — work, relationships with those we love, recreational pursuits — everyday demands become overwhelming. The ability to participate in life starts to shrink as feelings of fear and doubt take control.

 

Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Anxiety can be part of other disorders such as depression and certain medical conditions.  Anxiety that usually benefits from treatment can have symptoms such as:

 

·Excessive worry

·Doubt

·Dread – feeling like something bad is going to happen

·Difficulty concentrating

·Physical symptoms (appetite loss, sweating, palpitations, headaches, muscle tension, nausea)

·Changes in behavior – things like avoiding certain situations or people in  an effort to prevent feelings of panic or anxiety

 

Fortunately, even overwhelming anxiety and worry are very treatable conditions.  With a cognitive-behavioral model of therapy and/or medication, you can have your life back again. Why cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?  Because research has shown that this approach to treating anxiety conditions really works.

 

Negative thinking plays a big part in  chronic anxiety. Using a CBT approach, I will help you identify the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (the three components of anxiety) that are making up your anxiety response pattern and help you get on the road to peace of mind and a better life.

 

About OCD:

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is characterized by repeated, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause the sufferer a great deal of anxiety. The person then uses repeated physical and/or mental behaviors (compulsions) to try and decrease the anxiety and keep the fearful thoughts from returning.

 

The compulsions aimed at stopping the thoughts bring little relief, however, and it is not long before the unacceptable thoughts begin again. The distress OCD causes can be very intense and sufficient to interfere with daily living. 

 

If you or someone you know might have this condition, please go to www.ocfoundation.org for a thorough explanation of OCD and its symptoms and treatment. Be assured that the treatment I provide for OCD meets all the recommendations advised by the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.

 

For complete descriptions about other anxiety disorders, please go to www.adaa.org.