Anxiety Disorders

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Everyone feels anxious at times. Challenges such as workplace pressures, public speaking, highly demanding schedules or writing an exam can lead to a sense of worry, even fear. These sensations, however uncomfortable, are different from the ones associated with an anxiety disorder. People suffering from an anxiety disorder are subject to intense, prolonged feelings of fright and distress for no obvious reason. The condition turns their life into a continuous journey of unease and fear and can interfere with their relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that they affect approximately 1 in 10 people. They are more prevalent among women than among men, and they affect children as well as adults. Anxiety disorders are illnesses. They can be diagnosed; they can be treated.  

But all too often, they are mistaken for mental weakness or instability, and the resulting social stigma can discourage people with anxiety disorders from seeking help. Realizing that they are medical disorders which can be treated will help to remove the stigma, and encourage people with anxiety disorders to explore the treatments available.

What Exactly are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of conditions which affect behavior, thoughts, emotions and physical health.  It is common for people to suffer from more than one anxiety disorder; and for an anxiety disorder to be accompanied by depression, eating disorders or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also coexist with physical disorders, in which case the physical condition should also be treated.

Some of the signs to look for are:

Panic Disorder - As the name suggests, panic disorder is expressed in panic attacks which occur without warning, accompanied by sudden feelings of terror, dread or doom.

Phobias - Phobias are divided into two categories: social phobia, which involves fear of social situations, and specific phobias, such as fear of flying, blood and heights.

Social Phobia - People with social phobia feel a paralyzing, irrational self-consciousness about social situations. They have an intense fear of being observed or of doing something horribly wrong in front of other people.

Specific Phobias - Fear of flying, fear of heights and fear of open spaces are some typical specific phobias. People suffering from a specific phobia are overwhelmed by unreasonable fears, which they are unable to control.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A terrifying experience in which serious physical harm occurred or was threatened can cause post-traumatic stress disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - This is a condition in which people suffer from persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and / or rituals (compulsions) which they find impossible to control.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Characterized by repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities, this disorder lasts at least six months, during which time the person is affected by extreme worry more days than not.

Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders

Proper diagnosis is the first step to creating a proper treatment plan. Through the employment of the "Biopsychosocial Model" of diagnosis and treatment, your treatment team here at Potomac Psychiatry can: determine what biological factors  are contributing to your anxiety and stress problems such as health status, medications used, genetic predispositions, alcohol and drug use, nutrition, and exercise patterns; explore psychological factors such as unconscious influences, childhood traumas, "emotional sticking points" from the past; analyze social and environmental forces such as work-related stressors, and marital and family conflict;and probe for existential and spiritual factors related to emotional conflict, such as "Do I have sufficient meaning and purpose in my life?" Once  the effects on your life of these contributing factors  are understood, a personalized, mutually agreed-upon treatment plan can be established; and where appropriate your family members may be brought into the treatment planning development.

How can Anxiety Disorders be Treated?

There are two main medical approaches to treating an anxiety disorder: (1) medication therapy and (2) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Combining the two types of treatment can be effective. Because most anxiety disorders have at least some biological component, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are generally prescribed. It is important to inquire about possible side effects of any medication. Specific CBT techniques have been developed to help assist with particular anxiety disorders. People with panic disorder, for instance, can benefit from breathing retraining, which shows them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they're feeling anxious.

Proper diagnosis is the key to putting a person with an anxiety disorder on the right treatment path. At Potomac Psychiatry our psychiatrists and therapists specialize in treating all types of anxiety disorders. Call us at 301.984.9791 to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment.