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.
Different subtypes of the disorder exist. They include, among others, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders, specific phobias, agoraphobia and social phobias. There are a few differences in the manner of presentation as well as in the treatments that are used. Patients with generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, become anxious about a wide range of events most of which are unknown to the patients.
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 the most common phobia with a lifetime prevalence rate of about 8%. The main feature is the presence of an intense form of fear that is persistently present in the presence of a certain object or event. There is a strong desire to flee from this object or event. Most people with this disorder greatly fear public embarrassment that may be caused by impulsive acts. There is significant interference with social relationships and normal functioning.
Specific phobias are fears of specific objects or situations. These include animals, insects, heights of buildings and dental procedures among others. Simple phobias do not always impair normal functioning and many people with this problem lead near normal lives. The most important thing is to avoid the phobic situation. The onset is in the years of early childhood. Treatments for this therapy include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
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.
Different subtypes of the disorder exist. They include, among others, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders, specific phobias, agoraphobia and social phobias. There are a few differences in the manner of presentation as well as in the treatments that are used. Patients with generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, become anxious about a wide range of events most of which are unknown to the patients.
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 the most common phobia with a lifetime prevalence rate of about 8%. The main feature is the presence of an intense form of fear that is persistently present in the presence of a certain object or event. There is a strong desire to flee from this object or event. Most people with this disorder greatly fear public embarrassment that may be caused by impulsive acts. There is significant interference with social relationships and normal functioning.
Specific phobias are fears of specific objects or situations. These include animals, insects, heights of buildings and dental procedures among others. Simple phobias do not always impair normal functioning and many people with this problem lead near normal lives. The most important thing is to avoid the phobic situation. The onset is in the years of early childhood. Treatments for this therapy include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment