If you think that you are the only person who struggles with anxiety on a regular basis, then you are wrong. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, finds that at least 40 million adults in the U.S. ages 18 years and older struggle with a form of anxiety disorder. While people may assume that anxiety is just a phase or easy to deal with, they are wrong.
The reality is that an anxiety disorder is not going to just go away with store-bought medication. The most effective anxiety treatment combines therapy and medication, when necessary. The approach to anxiety treatment at Eileen Wachter, MD helps to identify the symptoms and issues plaguing a patient’s life to help them beat it.
One main issue with any mental illness, such as anxiety, is that people confuse it with feelings. People will think that having an anxiety disorder is the same as feeling and anxious and tell people to “just get over it and stop being nervous.” This is unhealthy and problematic for the individual’s overall health. While people may feel a little anxious or down from time to time, that is not the same thing as struggling with an anxiety disorder.
A few types of anxiety disorders include:
Since there are multiple types of anxiety disorders, the symptoms will vary. On top of that fact is the fact that the severity of the symptoms can also greatly change per person. One of the key factors in people seeking treatment for anxiety is spotting the symptoms. Whether you are struggling with anxiety or you see a loved one struggling, here are symptoms to keep an eye out for:
While there are a variety of medical and environmental factors that can cause anxiety, it is usually a mixture of factors that leads to an anxiety disorder. Many people will develop an anxiety disorder over time. However, the process can be gradual enough that it is difficult to find the original source. Other times, people will have underlying medical disorders that can occur at the same time as anxiety.
Since no patient is alike, it is crucial to seek professional treatment that is customized to the patient’s needs. One risk factor for an anxiety disorder is experiencing a physical or mental trauma. For instance, children who experience a tragedy or abuse are more likely to develop a disorder because of it. Other people may experience a socially devastating situation at a young age that festers in the back of their mind and grows into an anxiety disorder.
Certain personality types can also be more prone to anxiety disorders. This is where therapy as a part of anxiety treatment can help people understand their specific type of disorder. Below is information on the various types of anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder applies to persistent feelings of anxiety or worries about anything from events to specific activities. Unlike feeling a bit anxious, this anxiety is intense and can easily overwhelm the individual. This type of anxiety can control how the person acts and feels, even working in conjunction with other mental disorders.
Social Anxiety Disorder
This type of anxiety causes people to have crippling levels of fear when facing social situations. It can be of certain situations or all social gatherings. This fear can be due to embarrassment, a concern of judgment or being overly self-conscious. Many people with this condition will avoid social situations altogether.
Separation and Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety is the result of a child’s development and involves a fear of being separated from parents. This can also apply to people who have parental roles.
Panic Disorder
A panic disorder is a series of sudden feelings of fear or anxiety that intensify quickly and cause panic attacks. These attacks can be a regular occurrence and even cause chest pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations.
One of the more common treatments to anxiety is psychotherapy. This type of therapy is a form of psychological counseling that has the patient talk about these issues with the therapist. During regular sessions, the therapist can help give the patient-specific tools and methods for coping with the anxiety. Along with therapy, medication may be necessary to help the patient manage symptoms.
Usually, combining these two treatment methods is effective. However, each treatment will still be different for each patient. This way, we can address a patient’s specific needs.
Eileen Wachter, MD is located at
157 East 86th Street #470
New York, NY
10028.