Thinking about that final exam next week; that next project
director’s meeting, or an upcoming speaking engagement? Feeling tense and
anxious, even flush or breaking out in a sweat? Anxiety symptoms vary from
person to person and can be mildly to moderately disturbing as a normal part of
life, in response to facing challenging or threatening circumstances. Anxiety
can provide the impetus to plan ahead, meet deadlines, focus on a task, and/or
accomplish goals. In that sense, anxiety can be a motivator for success.
But when people experience intense anxiety that interferes
with the quality of everyday life, it may be that an anxiety disorder is causing the distress and the individual may benefit from treatment. The first step is to see your primary care
physician to make sure your symptoms are not the result of a physical illness.
Once that’s determined and assuming there is no general medical condition
better able to account for the symptoms, a combination of medication and
psychotherapy may be recommended.
Three of the most common anxiety disorders are Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety
Disorder). Psychotherapy or "talk therapy" is often helpful for individuals with anxiety disorders. Psychotherapies used to treat
anxiety disorders may include but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, Family Therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. When medically indicated, common medications used to
treat anxiety disorders can include anti-depressant medications, anti-anxiety
medications, and beta blockers.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
define the primary symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder as “persistent,
excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. People with the
disorder, which is also referred to as GAD, experience excessive anxiety and
worry, often expecting the worst even when there is no apparent reason for
concern”. Panic Disorder is defined by the ADAA as the experience of “spontaneous
seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks", accompanied by the fear of a
recurring attack. Panic attacks can occur without warning, even while sleeping. Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder is defined as “the extreme fear
of being scrutinized and judged by others in social or performance situations” (http//:www.adaa.org).
If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of
these symptoms, please consider contacting my practice for additional
information and to discuss opportunities for treatment that are designed to
help alleviate anxiety symptoms. You or your loved one deserves a quality of
life that is rich and fulfilling, not dampened by the potentially disabling
symptoms of anxiety.
