There is no doubt that all of us have had to struggle with anxiety at least once in our lives. Experiencing butterflies during a job interview, the first date or in the exam room is a normal response. Psychologists say that all these are examples of dangers to which we have to mount an appropriate response. In some people, however, the emotion is experienced even for what are generally regarded as harmless situations. This is pathological and requires therapy. There are some important things relating to anxiety therapy Toronto residents need to know.
The disorder is diagnosed when affected persons show excessive assessment of danger in their environment. As a result they tend to either not react at all or they react with an excessively protective response. There is accompanying impairment in the performance of normal duties. Put in other words, persons with anxiety disorder exhibit abnormal responses to normal situations as opposed to other people who respond normally to abnormal situations.
There are several subtypes that exist. These include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders, agoraphobia, social phobia and specific phobias. There are some differences in the manner of presentation and treatment for each subtype. We will explore a few of them. In generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, the affected individual is anxious to a wide range of activities or events. However, they cannot identify these events or activities.
GAD often coexists with other disorders such as depression and other subtypes of anxiety. It has been associated with alcoholism and suicidal tendencies. Patients will have nonspecific symptoms that include insomnia, generalized fatigue and chronic pain. The symptoms are typically intermittent and patients often relapse even after cure has been achieved. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is one of the commonly used forms of treatment. Others include systemic desensitization, hypnosis, relaxation therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Social phobia is characterized by intense and persistent fear that is associated with a desire to flee from the responsible object or event. There is a particular fear to suffer public embarrassment from impulsive acts. The symptoms are severe enough to interfere with normal functioning and interpersonal relationships. Social phobia is the most prevalent of all the types of phobia. About 8% of the general population have some form of this disorder.
Specific phobias are related to well-known objects or situations. These include dental procedures, blood, injections, heights, insects and animals. It is possible to lead a near normal life with a simple phobia as long as the provocative situations are avoided. The disorder has its onset in early childhood. There are several therapies that are available including cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT and pharmacotherapy.
As much as the diagnosis relies heavily on the clinical judgment of your doctor, you may be required to undergo some tests. These tests are important as they help rule out any organic causes that may cause similar symptoms. CT scan and MRI images are often needed to exclude a lesion in the brain.
There are many types of anxiety disorders that exist all with unique symptoms and treatments. The process of finding the effective therapy starts with classifying the disorder. Therapy is administered by psychiatrists, psychologists and other trained professionals.
The disorder is diagnosed when affected persons show excessive assessment of danger in their environment. As a result they tend to either not react at all or they react with an excessively protective response. There is accompanying impairment in the performance of normal duties. Put in other words, persons with anxiety disorder exhibit abnormal responses to normal situations as opposed to other people who respond normally to abnormal situations.
There are several subtypes that exist. These include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorders, agoraphobia, social phobia and specific phobias. There are some differences in the manner of presentation and treatment for each subtype. We will explore a few of them. In generalized anxiety disorder or GAD, the affected individual is anxious to a wide range of activities or events. However, they cannot identify these events or activities.
GAD often coexists with other disorders such as depression and other subtypes of anxiety. It has been associated with alcoholism and suicidal tendencies. Patients will have nonspecific symptoms that include insomnia, generalized fatigue and chronic pain. The symptoms are typically intermittent and patients often relapse even after cure has been achieved. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is one of the commonly used forms of treatment. Others include systemic desensitization, hypnosis, relaxation therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Social phobia is characterized by intense and persistent fear that is associated with a desire to flee from the responsible object or event. There is a particular fear to suffer public embarrassment from impulsive acts. The symptoms are severe enough to interfere with normal functioning and interpersonal relationships. Social phobia is the most prevalent of all the types of phobia. About 8% of the general population have some form of this disorder.
Specific phobias are related to well-known objects or situations. These include dental procedures, blood, injections, heights, insects and animals. It is possible to lead a near normal life with a simple phobia as long as the provocative situations are avoided. The disorder has its onset in early childhood. There are several therapies that are available including cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT and pharmacotherapy.
As much as the diagnosis relies heavily on the clinical judgment of your doctor, you may be required to undergo some tests. These tests are important as they help rule out any organic causes that may cause similar symptoms. CT scan and MRI images are often needed to exclude a lesion in the brain.
There are many types of anxiety disorders that exist all with unique symptoms and treatments. The process of finding the effective therapy starts with classifying the disorder. Therapy is administered by psychiatrists, psychologists and other trained professionals.
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