Does it seem like you are stressed out most of the time?
Do people tell you that you worry too much?
Are you concerned a lot about bad things happening to you or someone you love?
Do you avoid social events because you feel uncomfortable in groups of people?
Do you experience panic attacks at the thoughts of driving on the highway or flying?
Have you tried to think about positive things, but you just can’t stop worrying?
Would you rather quit your job than give a presentation in front of people?
Does it seem like you are washing your hands 100 times a day?
Do you prevent your child from activities because you fear something bad will happen?
Experiencing anxiety, fear, and stress are a normal part of every person’s life. But when anxiety is consuming your thoughts, interfering with your ability to function in your daily life, or affecting your relationships in a negative way, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorders Are Very Common
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Feelings of apprehension / Dread / Tense / Jumpy / Restlessness
Trouble concentrating / Feeling like your mind’s gone blank
Thoughts of anticipating the worst / Watching for signs of danger
Pounding heart / Sweating / Upset stomach / Dizziness
Shortness of breath / Tremors and twitches / Muscle tension / Headaches
Fatigue / Insomnia / Frequent urination or diarrhea
Types of Anxiety Disorders listed in the *DSM-5:
Acute Stress Disorder: You experience anxiety symptoms and possibly some PTSD symptoms within one month of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): You are experiencing symptoms for more than one month related to the aftermath of a traumatic or life-threatening event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks or nightmares about what happened, hypervigilance, startling easily, withdrawing from others, and avoiding situations that remind you of the event.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: You have been experiencing at least 6 months of persistent and excessive anxiety and worry.
Panic Disorder: You experience repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as fear of experiencing another episode. Panic disorder may also be accompanied by Agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape or help would be difficult in the event of a panic attack. If you have agoraphobia, you are likely to avoid public places such as shopping malls or confined spaces such as an airplane.
Specific Phobia: You experience significant anxiety symptoms when you are exposed to an object or situation you fear such as snakes or flying in an airplane. You will often go to great lengths to avoid the objects or situations you fear.
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder): You experience significant anxiety symptoms when you are exposed to certain types of social or performance situations such as parties, shopping at the mall, or public speaking. You will often go to great lengths to avoid these situations.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): You experience obsessive thoughts that cause anxiety and distress for you and/or you engage in compulsive behaviors in order to neutralize your obsessive thinking such as washing your hands 100 times a day in reaction to your fear of getting sick from other people’s germs.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Treatment may include medication from your doctor or a psychiatrist, changes in diet and exercise, and counseling. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) are effective forms of therapy to treat anxiety, fear, stress related issues. Using these two approaches in counseling, Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck helps you address your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to eliminate or manage your anxiety and stress. EMDR Therapy is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) for treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
There is Hope for Healing that produces Harmony through counseling.
*The American Psychological Association – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)