ANXIETY
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience excessive anxiety and worry, often about health, family, money, or work. This worrying goes on every day, possibly all day. It disrupts social activities and interferes with work, school, or family.
Symptoms of GAD may include the following:
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an intense fear of being judged or rejected in a social or public situation. Individuals with social anxiety disorder may worry about appearing anxious or being perceived as awkward, boring, or stupid. This often leads to the avoidance of social situations, or the experience of significant anxiety and distress when such situations cannot be avoided. Many people with social anxiety disorder also experience strong physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating, and may experience panic when confronting a feared situation. Although they recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, people with social anxiety disorder often feel powerless against their anxiety. Common stressors may include:
Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks and are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, sometimes even during sleep or upon waking. They can be caused by a wide range of fears that often include an element of losing control, fainting, going crazy, having a heart attack, or dying. A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense discomfort or fear that reaches a peak within minutes and may include symptoms such as:
Exposure therapy is particularly effective in treating Panic Disorder. Interoceptive exposure is an important element of treatment. Anxiety problems commonly involve a fear of bodily sensations, feeding a vicious cycle. Interoceptive exposure is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that refers to exposure to bodily sensations. Exposure to these sensations is necessary for the brain to learn that these signals, though uncomfortable, are not dangerous or catastrophic.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy are well-established, highly effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Symptoms of GAD may include the following:
- restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- being easily fatigued
- difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an intense fear of being judged or rejected in a social or public situation. Individuals with social anxiety disorder may worry about appearing anxious or being perceived as awkward, boring, or stupid. This often leads to the avoidance of social situations, or the experience of significant anxiety and distress when such situations cannot be avoided. Many people with social anxiety disorder also experience strong physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating, and may experience panic when confronting a feared situation. Although they recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, people with social anxiety disorder often feel powerless against their anxiety. Common stressors may include:
- Meeting new people
- Going on a date
- Attending parties or other social gatherings
- Being the center of attention or watched while doing something
- Speaking up in class or in a meeting
- Being teased or criticized
- Talking with strangers or authority figures
- Making phone calls
- Using public restrooms
- Eating or drinking in public
Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks and are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, sometimes even during sleep or upon waking. They can be caused by a wide range of fears that often include an element of losing control, fainting, going crazy, having a heart attack, or dying. A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense discomfort or fear that reaches a peak within minutes and may include symptoms such as:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
Exposure therapy is particularly effective in treating Panic Disorder. Interoceptive exposure is an important element of treatment. Anxiety problems commonly involve a fear of bodily sensations, feeding a vicious cycle. Interoceptive exposure is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that refers to exposure to bodily sensations. Exposure to these sensations is necessary for the brain to learn that these signals, though uncomfortable, are not dangerous or catastrophic.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy are well-established, highly effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.