Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Anxiety disorders are psychiatric disorders that affects the life of a person adversely. The anxiety disorders generally lead to deterioration of the overall health.
Women and anxiety are inseparable as anxiety is all about the emotional effect that is accompanied by the physiological sensations. It is caused due to emotions experienced over different issues such as family problems, financial issues as well as concerns about children.
It is generally characterized by doubts, worries as well as painful awareness. The heightened emotions can even lead to heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, gastrointestinal upsets, trembling, restlessness and increased urination among others.
Kinds of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders in women are one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and influence the quality of their life adversely. These disorders lead to expensive and frequent medical check ups. They can also cause deterioration of the overall health. The detection of anxiety disorder is done when challenges of the everyday living become overwhelming. Below are listed some of them:
Generalized disorder:
Also known as GAD, is more common among women than among men and children. This form of anxiety disorder includes non stop worrying about different issues, aches as well as pains including trembling, headaches, and muscle tension. Apart from this, constant fatigue, grouchiness and sleep disorders are some of the symptoms of this problem.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder:
In this anxiety disorder, the person suffers from frequently recurring thoughts known as obsessions. Compulsive components of this form of anxiety disorder also include cyclical actions known as compulsions. These are attempts to control the obsessive thought process. Women having OCD tend to hurt themselves and others and develop strange ideas about sexual activity or religion, among other issues.
Panic disorder:
Panic disorder is generally present in those women who have uncontrollable intense feelings of panic and fear known as panic attacks. Other symptoms linked with this anxiety disorder are chest pain, breathing difficulty, rapid heart beat, hot flashes and tingling feelings.
This disorder is normally seen between the age group of 18 and 24 years. There is no reason for these panic attacks. They can happen at any point of time. Through studies and researches it has been found that panic attacks usually occur at places where the patient has already faced panic attacks in the past.
Phobia:
This is another common kind of abnormal fear wherein a person reacts unusually to a particular element. In other words, a person is afraid of things like fire, height, water, insects, loneliness, darkness and flying – just to name a few. Some people also develop social phobia such as fear of embarrassment among others. The common symptoms include sleep disorders, nightmares, feeling of aloofness, irritability, anxiety, numbness and startled reactions.
There is cognitive-behavioral therapy done in order to treat these anxiety disorders that focuses upon changing behavioral, emotional and cognitive patterns. The therapists attempt to the reconditioning of thought process of the women so that they can think healthy and integrate the relaxation techniques to alter their mood swings to a large extent.
It is a proven theory and has helped in the treatment of numerous patients across the globe.

NYC therapy is therapy that is used to help people and it is derived from the social science called psychology. It is a practical science that is used to help understand the world around us and how it affects the human being in his environment.
Psychology contains issues that concern everyone and can be very diverse. One end of the spectrum is mental illness while the other end includes many social questions. Generally, NYC therapy deals with the stress that affects people in their every day lives.
It may also deal with sleep cycles and their difficulties for many people, improving mental skills like memory and how a person learns. One thing that we can be clear on is that psychology deals with issues that affect the development of human beings from the cradle to the grave and in time may proceed past that. It also investigates body processes and how they effect emotion.
An example of this would understand the reason why the environment may affect the neurotransmitters in the brain, bringing on some mental illnesses which often change our behavior.
New York City is renowned around the world for its culture, movies, fashion, economics and art. Although it is flexible and diverse; change is not a new concept in this city. It can also be conservative and traditional. If something new comes in the way of treating people with therapy, you would not be wrong in suggesting that the idea was first used in NYC therapy.
NYC therapy offers traditional therapies that have been designed to meet the social changes that have taken place over time. NYC therapy is the first place to offer people who have a busy schedule therapy on the run. Instead of having to go to a psychologist’s office, your psychologist will meet with you on the way to where you are going.
You might wind up meeting in central park because it is on the way to where you need to be. The people who are able to get this kind of therapy are the largest percent of the population. Children, friends, family and work combined with a busy life style bring on stresses that if not dealt with tend to manifest themselves.
NYC therapy can help individuals get back on track and reconnect with their lives so that they are relatively peaceful rather then in constant turmoil. NYC therapy also helps people with many other problems such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders and pain that is chronic and often coupled with chronic fatigue commonly referred to as somatic complaints, post traumatic stress disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders.
You will find the most common NYC therapy to be much the same as therapy that is practiced anywhere else. Cognitive behavior therapy assists people in recognizing negative thoughts and maladaptive beliefs. This is a type of insight therapy because its emphasis is on recognizing the problems you have so you can change them.
Psychoanalytic therapies that were originally developed by Freud, explains personality and what motivates the behavior that is usually unconscious. Systemic and family therapies focus on the problem and how it affects the whole which is the family.
Other types of NYC therapy include cognitive analytic, humanistic therapy in which the therapist is trained to be empathetic and supportive, so that their clients feel safe and know that their problems and who they are, are understood and respected.
Group analysis, art therapy and expressive arts that help a client deepen self expression, body-oriented psychotherapy that helps the client to understand that we can heal and transform ourselves from the painful memories of the past. Therapy that helps a person understand the past and the personal issues that come from past relationships so that the present can bring healing is Psychodynamic psychotherapy.
NYC therapy is easily obtainable through many different areas. People looking for therapy can find information and referrals through their family doctor. They can also find therapy through the mental health community, hospitals both public and private, community health centers, universities and some businesses.
Private NYC therapists give quality therapy because of their long standing practice and knowledge that they have obtained, not only through their education, but through their experience as well. Types of therapy and where to get the therapy you are looking for can be found on websites that show people where to go and how the therapy works.
Many of the online sights give you maps of the area in which to define your search parameters to make your search that much easier. NYC therapists do their best to help you succeed in the changes you wish to make in your life, or to correct and change life issues that are stopping you from enjoying life to the fullest of your ability.
NYC therapists work with their clients in a friendly relaxed manner that is responsible, ethical and empathetic.

Who among us has never been in a large group of people and felt timid, nervous, and even downright terrified? Feelings such as these can happen from time to time, especially if we are a generally shy person. But when feelings of fear and panic are present in all situations such as these, you may be exhibiting signs of social anxiety – persistent and severe heightened fear and panic in social situations. When these feelings take over and begin to impact the way in which you socialize and engage in personal relationships, it is thought that treatment can significantly benefit the way in which we manage these overwhelming feelings.
Social anxiety is defined as feelings of fear or panic in anticipation of social situations – or while participating in social situations. These psychological feelings that people are judging you or you are under a microscope can lead to physical symptoms that may include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking, headache, and diarrhea, among others. While social anxiety is considered an occurrence, social anxiety disorder falls within the umbrella of anxiety disorder that encapsulates everything from generalized anxiety disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias.
A diagnosis of social anxiety disorder is generally made when there is ongoing and persistent feelings of panic and apprehension associated with commonplace social situations; daily life is thwarted by these feelings of anxiety and the sufferer sees the ramifications in their relationships – familial, platonic, and romantic. People who experience this type of anxiety feel as if their every move is being watched and they are convinced that they will humiliate themselves in a room full of people. Often the fear is so palpable that all social interaction is avoided in order to avoid the feeling.
In fact, for anyone who has ever experienced stage fright while performing in front of a group of people, the feelings associated with social anxiety are much the same thing. Those who suffer from this type of anxiety feel in a constant state of stage fright whenever they are in social situations – as if they are expected to perform.
Not surprisingly, those who suffer with this anxiety – and are not aware of the magnitude or definition of what they are managing – will often attempt to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs during social engagements. Such substances often have the ability to lower inhibitions enough that sufferers can mange their social time without feeling incapacitated. But this is hardly the safe or effective way to treat anxiety.
Treating this anxiety can be done in a number of ways. Cognitive-behavioral therapy with a licensed and reputable therapist teaches the patient how to rewire their thoughts and change their behaviors associated with the source of anxiety. Often there is a certain amount of exposure therapy wherein the patient is introduced to sources of anxiety – but in a controlled and safe environment. The hope is that continued exposure with positive outcomes will eventually desensitize the patient from this type of anxiety.
Medication is also available that treats a wide variety of anxiety. Your doctor is best in the position to determine what medication may work for you and will monitor your progress. In most cases, a combination of therapy and medication works most successfully in treating social anxiety.

Anxiety is a psychological disorder. It has become a common problem among the people who lead a fast and tensed life. Both children and adults are found to be the victim of anxiety disorder when they find it difficult to cop up with the work load at school or at office.
Various methods that we use to treat it include drugs, therapy, self help and alterative therapy. Traditional medicine always prefers drug treatment to cure the symptoms of anxiety present in a patient. Though expensive, many use cognitive behavior therapy to overcome the difficulties and unrest associated with anxiety.
Hypnosis is proved o be very effective in treating all the problems relating to anxiety. A number of people now prefer hypnotherapy for anxiety treatment. Many who have experimented with this method of treatment witnesses the effectiveness of using hypnotherapy to remedy anxiety.
The person who wants to undergo a hypnotherapy for anxiety treatment will be put into a trace state of mind by the hypnotist. The hypnotist who specializes in this field of treatment is known as anxiety psychiatrist. Consulting an anxiety psychiatrist in time will help you from becoming a person with anxiety disorder.
Make sure that the hypnotist that you approach with an intention to avail hypnotherapy for anxiety is a qualified psychotherapist to avoid complications. Approach only the hypnotist who has a good reputation among their patients. Try to gather enough information about the work experience and the qualifications of the hypnotist you choose will help you to find the best hypnotist.
Some people try self hypnosis techniques at the comfort of their home to overcome the difficulties they face in their day to day life due to anxiety disorder. Self hypnotherapy for anxiety can be tried by a person after acquiring knowledge in different techniques and tools to be used in hypnotherapy. Self hypnotherapy for anxiety will not produce any result if you do it with out expertise or with out undergoing a hypnotherapy training.
If you are interested in making use of the techniques it is better to learn the techniques with the help of an expert hypnotist. You can also learn it through the online institution that imparts training in hypnosis.
Hypnosis scripts designed to address anxiety problems will also be a great help for the person who tries self hypnosis to cure this mental disorder. Inducing positive thoughts in the mind of the patient with the help of these scripts will definitely help the patient to overcome this state of mind.

As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is “all in your head”, but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL!  However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety.  Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.

There is some debate by medical and mental professionals about what causes what.  The “What came first?  The chicken or the egg” debate translates into “What came first?  The chronic pain or the depression?”  TRUE Fibromyalgia experts, researchers and others know that the chronic pain of FM & overlapping conditions leads to depression and anxiety. 

Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates.  Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more.  The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating.  Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?

Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.

Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat.  Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.

What can cause depression & anxiety?  Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both.  Little or no social  and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.

Lack of quality sleep is also believed to have an influence on depression.  Since FM & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients tend to have insomnia and/or other sleep disorders, it stands to reason that poor sleep can lead to depression.

There is a wide variety of medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs and therapies that can help ease the impact of pain, anxiety and depression.  With so many out there, you and your doctor may have to go through the process of trial and error to find what works best for you!

Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety.  Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.

Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.

There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling – to help you recognize and release stress. 

You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles – so check back here!

All of us are familiar with social anxiety, having experienced it at some point of our lives. It is the worry, apprehension, fear, and nervousness that we feel with regard to a social context, a situation in which we are exposed to a number of people.
Social anxiety is of different types and intensities. If some people are terrified of public speaking, others are just shy, an emotion that manifests as a blush or excessive sweating. Shy people might avoid crowds altogether because they feel that people view them negatively.
Shyness versus Social Anxiety
Little children commonly hide behind parents when accosted by strangers. Commonly, they outgrow this tendency. Some people, however, grow up with this shyness, which might develop into social anxiety. Factors such as environment and upbringing determine the time taken by a child to overcome this shyness.
Ultimately, many people get over social anxiety and learn to actually enjoy being in the midst of a social gathering. Although they might not become social butterflies, they will have no qualms about mingling in a crowd.
But there are some people who are never able to overcome social anxiety. They suffer from what is commonly known as social anxiety disorder or social phobia. Such people require professional help.
Difference between Shyness and Social Anxiety
Sometimes, it is difficult to identify the line of demarcation between social anxiety and mere shyness. Normally, shyness wears away with age. It is commonly believed that shyness and patterns of social behavior are inherited traits; some people believe that it is acquired. Shyness does not permit some of us to enjoy being with strangers while others thrive in the company of people, especially strangers.
On the contrary, social anxiety becomes worse with the passage of time. It can not only lead to extreme distress, but also the inability to interact with other human beings. People with social anxiety feels that they are constantly watched and that their behavior is contiuously analyzed. While, in some cases, this may be true, people with social anxiety usually have an exaggerated idea of the social attention they attract. There are statistics to point out the fact that over 13% Americans suffer from social anxiety at some point of their lives.
Trembling, blushing, sweating, palpitations, stammering, and nausea are some of the common symptoms of social anxiety. Extreme cases of social anxiety might also experience panic attacks.
Individuals suffering from social anxiety can benefit greatly from psychotherapy; it could be group or individual therapy. When used in combination with cognitive behavior therapy, any therapy can work wonders.

At one time or another we have all experienced anxiety; a natural reaction to particular stressors in our lives. Juggling career demands, personal relationships, and family schedules can provoke anyone to have moments when the anxiety becomes palpable and manifests itself in a number of physical symptoms. It is only when anxiety is persistent and pervasive – interfering with everyday activities – which sufferers turn to anxiety treatment to help manage their symptoms and bring balance and order back into their life.
Anxiety treatment – like the anxiety that we experience – is varied; depending on the severity and frequency of the episodes and the personal needs of the sufferer. Those battling ongoing anxiety often experience persistent heightened levels of panic and fear – either in general or in response to particular situations. The treatment that will bring relief must be decided between patient and doctor and only comes after a comprehensive examination and proper diagnosis.
Most often, those who turn to treatment options are experiencing what has been defined as anxiety disorder – an umbrella diagnosis that refers to many different forms of anxiety including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and general anxiety disorder. Not every treatment works for every sufferer so it is vitally important that each person who seeks treatment does so in accordance with their medical practitioner. Your doctor will be able to run a series of tests to first ensure that the symptoms experienced as a result of anxiety are not instead manifestations of a physical ailment or disease.
Once anxiety has been diagnosed, a treatment plan is put into place. One such anxiety treatment is what as known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is conducted by a licensed therapist – a reputable practioner that your primary doctor can recommend – and focuses on changing the thinking and behavior of the anxiety sufferer. Individual catalysts of anxiety are identified with each patient – particular situations that most often provoke anxiety. Once these provocations are identified, the therapist can then work with the patient to put tools in place to help the patient work through the anxiety during particular situations. Often – after much work has been done – the therapist will expose the patient to situations that provoke stress; in some cases, frequent exposure can actually desensitize the patient to the situation and anxiety levels are lowered considerably. CBT can take months to fully reveal its benefits. But often it is well worth the work as patients can learn to manage their anxiety without the use of medications.
Holistic anxiety treatment is another method used to manage anxiety. Such treatments include the taking of herbal remedies that have been shown to have effectiveness in anxiety management. However, it is important to work with a doctor in determining what herbal treatments may work for you; some are not recommended in conjunction with other medication so it is important to proceed with care. Other patients report success with such therapies as acupuncture, biofeedback – a form of self-hypnosis – and other relaxation techniques such as meditation, and therapeutic massage.
When anxiety continues even after the implementation of therapy and holistic remedies, a doctor may prescribe medication to help control anxiety symptoms. Luckily, medical advancements have made medication safe and effective when used under the care of a doctor; and many people report substantial success with the help of medications. Your doctor can prescribe the medication that is most likely to work with your particular situation.
Finally, it is important to take extra care of yourself if you suffer from anxiety. Anxiety treatment also relies on the patient knowing to what best their body responds. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and plentiful sleep can go a long way toward helping lower anxiety levels.

Millions of Americans every year suffer from depression. Millions more suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Studies have shown that the two disorders coexist more often than not. Between 60 and 70% of all people who suffer from clinical depression also suffer from anxiety.
About half of all people diagnosed with this disorders also suffer from depression. Depression and anxiety overlap so much that increasingly, clinical psychologists and researchers see anxiety and depression as facets of the same illness.
Most people have feelings of sadness at some point in their lives. The loss of a job, death of a loved one, or other disappointments, causes many of the symptoms of depression. Similarly, most people experience the latter at some point in their lives when confronted with stressful situations. These feelings are normal, up to a point.
When feelings of overwhelming sadness or hopelessness, accompanied by fatigue, and changes of appetite and sleep patterns persist for more than a few weeks, the person may be diagnosed with clinical depression. When feelings of anxiety are out of proportion to the stresses being experienced, or a person has panic attacks several times over a period of weeks, they may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and depression are so often intertwined that one must be treated before the other can be dealt with.
Just as there is a lot of overlap between depression and anxiety, there is also a lot of overlap in treatment for the two disorders. Anxiety disorders are often treated with antidepressant medications. Some forms of psychotherapy, especially cognitive and behavioral therapy, have been very successful in treating both conditions.
At times, it may be necessary to treat the depression first. In one form of therapy, called exposure therapy, the patient is exposed to gradually increasing stress factors to help them learn to cope with anxiety. Depression can drain a person of energy and leave them unable to cooperate, so sometimes it must be dealt with first for the anxiety therapy to be effective.
Sometimes, a patient’s depression must be treated before the disorder of the other condition can be dealt with. Other times, it may work the other way around. Anxiety usually presents itself at an earlier age than depression, typically during childhood or adolescence.
In these cases, successful treatment of the latter may prevent depression from developing when the patient reaches adulthood. Depression and anxiety are such frequent fellow travelers that often, successful treatment of one often includes treating the other.

There are several subgroups of Anxiety Disorders, with different causes and treatment.

Anxiety disorders are a serious social and financial concern to American business, since they cost the country more than $42 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to “The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders,” a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

More than $22.84 billion is spent on healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for emotional distress and physical symptoms.

Sufferers are 300 to 500 percent more likely to go to the doctor and 600 percent more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than non-sufferers.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illness and affect both children and adults.

They develop from an interaction of numerous risk factors, including personality, genetics, brain chemistry, and life stress. Approximately 19 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from them receive treatment.

The main feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is excessive, unrealistic and uncontrollable worry about everyday events.

This constant worry affects daily functioning and brings physical symptoms. GAD can occur with other anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or substance abuse.

It can be misdiagnosed because it lacks some of the dramatic symptoms, such as unprovoked attacks of panic, that are seen with other anxiety disorders. For a diagnosis to be made, uncontrollable worrying occur more days than not for at least 6 months.

The focus of GAD is fluid, shifting unpredictably from job issues, finances, health of both self and family, and smaller issues such as chores, car repairs and being late for appointments.

The intensity, duration and frequency of the worry are disproportionate to the issue and interferes with the sufferer’s daily life. Physical symptoms can include muscle tension, sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and/or nausea, cold and clammy palms, the feeling of having a “lump in the throat” and difficulty swallowing.

Sufferers are irritable and complain about feeling on edge, tire easily tired and have trouble sleeping.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by persistent, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears; typical obsessions include worry about being contaminated or fears of behaving improperly or acting violently.

The obsessions may cause the individual to perform a rituals or routines to relieve the anxiety, such as excessive handwashing, checking appliances, repeating phrases or hoarding.

People with Panic Disorder suffer severe acute attacks of panic for no apparant reason, which may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack or cause them to feel they are losing their minds.

Symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, feeling of choking, fear of dying, fear of losing control, and feelings of unreality.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by agoraphobia, in which people are afraid of having a panic attack in a public place, so they become afraid to leave the safety of their controlled home environment.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can follow a traumatic event such as a sexual or physical assault, witnessing a death, the unexpected death of a loved one, or natural disaster.

There are three main symptoms associated with PTSD: “reliving” of the traumatic event (such as flashbacks and nightmares); avoidance behaviors (such as avoiding places and other reminders related to the trauma) and emotional numbing (detachment from others); and physiological arousal such difficulty sleeping, irritability or poor concentration.

Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by severe anxiety about being judged by others or behaving in a way that might bring ridicule or embarrassment. This intense anxiety may lead to extreme shyness and avoidance of social situations.

Physical symptoms associated with this disorder include faintness, heart palpitations, blushing and profuse sweating.

Anxiety disorders also include Specific Phobias, an intense and unreasonable fear of specific objects or situations, such as spiders, dogs, or heights.

The disproportionate level of fear is recognized by the sufferer as being irrational. It can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations.

Patients often have more than one anxiety disorder, and sometimes other illness as well such as depression or substance abuse.
Treatment of anxiety disorders includes support groups, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Drugs therapy used to treat anxiety disorders includes benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and beta-blockers.

Often a combination of the two therapies is more useful than one exclusively. Up to 90 percent of patients will show improvement of their symptom from medical treatment.

There are several subgroups of Anxiety Disorders, with different causes and treatment.

Anxiety disorders are a serious social and financial concern to American business, since they cost the country more than $42 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to “The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders,” a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

More than $22.84 billion is spent on healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for emotional distress and physical symptoms.

Sufferers are 300 to 500 percent more likely to go to the doctor and 600 percent more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than non-sufferers.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illness and affect both children and adults.

They develop from an interaction of numerous risk factors, including personality, genetics, brain chemistry, and life stress. Approximately 19 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering from them receive treatment.

The main feature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is excessive, unrealistic and uncontrollable worry about everyday events.

This constant worry affects daily functioning and brings physical symptoms. GAD can occur with other anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or substance abuse.

It can be misdiagnosed because it lacks some of the dramatic symptoms, such as unprovoked attacks of panic, that are seen with other anxiety disorders. For a diagnosis to be made, uncontrollable worrying occur more days than not for at least 6 months.

The focus of GAD is fluid, shifting unpredictably from job issues, finances, health of both self and family, and smaller issues such as chores, car repairs and being late for appointments.

The intensity, duration and frequency of the worry are disproportionate to the issue and interferes with the sufferer’s daily life. Physical symptoms can include muscle tension, sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and/or nausea, cold and clammy palms, the feeling of having a “lump in the throat” and difficulty swallowing.

Sufferers are irritable and complain about feeling on edge, tire easily tired and have trouble sleeping.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by persistent, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears; typical obsessions include worry about being contaminated or fears of behaving improperly or acting violently.

The obsessions may cause the individual to perform a rituals or routines to relieve the anxiety, such as excessive handwashing, checking appliances, repeating phrases or hoarding.

People with Panic Disorder suffer severe acute attacks of panic for no apparant reason, which may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack or cause them to feel they are losing their minds.

Symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, feeling of choking, fear of dying, fear of losing control, and feelings of unreality.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by agoraphobia, in which people are afraid of having a panic attack in a public place, so they become afraid to leave the safety of their controlled home environment.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can follow a traumatic event such as a sexual or physical assault, witnessing a death, the unexpected death of a loved one, or natural disaster.

There are three main symptoms associated with PTSD: “reliving” of the traumatic event (such as flashbacks and nightmares); avoidance behaviors (such as avoiding places and other reminders related to the trauma) and emotional numbing (detachment from others); and physiological arousal such difficulty sleeping, irritability or poor concentration.

Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by severe anxiety about being judged by others or behaving in a way that might bring ridicule or embarrassment. This intense anxiety may lead to extreme shyness and avoidance of social situations.

Physical symptoms associated with this disorder include faintness, heart palpitations, blushing and profuse sweating.

Anxiety disorders also include Specific Phobias, an intense and unreasonable fear of specific objects or situations, such as spiders, dogs, or heights.

The disproportionate level of fear is recognized by the sufferer as being irrational. It can lead to the avoidance of common, everyday situations.

Patients often have more than one anxiety disorder, and sometimes other illness as well such as depression or substance abuse.
Treatment of anxiety disorders includes support groups, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy.

Drugs therapy used to treat anxiety disorders includes benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and beta-blockers.

Often a combination of the two therapies is more useful than one exclusively. Up to 90 percent of patients will show improvement of their symptom from medical treatment.