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 diagnosis is made mainly on clinical grounds. Typically, the doctor takes a history to establish whether or not there are suggestive symptoms. If anxiety disorder is suspected the client is referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Persons with the disorder will typically present with excessively protective responses when faced with worrisome situations. Put in other words, they will respond abnormally to normal situations as opposed to ordinary people who respond normally to abnormal situations.
There are a number of different subtypes of the disorder recognized. They include obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, PTSD, specific phobias, social phobia and agoraphobia. There are minor differences in the symptomatic patterns as well as the therapies that are used. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one in which the client is anxious about a wide range of activities or events. They cannot identify the exact events.
GAD is usually associated with other comorbidities such as depression. There may be complaints such as generalized fatigues, chronic pain and insomnia. The symptoms are typically intermittent and tend to recur even after treatment. Patients become alcoholics after some time and a number of them even contemplate suicide. It is important that therapy is instituted promptly. The available modalities include hypnosis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, systemic desensitization and hypnosis among others.
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 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.
Several types of anxiety disorder have been discovered and these vary both in symptoms and the treatments used. Understanding his fact is an important step in working out an effective therapy. One the proper classification has been achieved, the client is referred to mental health expert such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
The diagnosis is made mainly on clinical grounds. Typically, the doctor takes a history to establish whether or not there are suggestive symptoms. If anxiety disorder is suspected the client is referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Persons with the disorder will typically present with excessively protective responses when faced with worrisome situations. Put in other words, they will respond abnormally to normal situations as opposed to ordinary people who respond normally to abnormal situations.
There are a number of different subtypes of the disorder recognized. They include obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, PTSD, specific phobias, social phobia and agoraphobia. There are minor differences in the symptomatic patterns as well as the therapies that are used. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one in which the client is anxious about a wide range of activities or events. They cannot identify the exact events.
GAD is usually associated with other comorbidities such as depression. There may be complaints such as generalized fatigues, chronic pain and insomnia. The symptoms are typically intermittent and tend to recur even after treatment. Patients become alcoholics after some time and a number of them even contemplate suicide. It is important that therapy is instituted promptly. The available modalities include hypnosis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, systemic desensitization and hypnosis among others.
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 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.
Several types of anxiety disorder have been discovered and these vary both in symptoms and the treatments used. Understanding his fact is an important step in working out an effective therapy. One the proper classification has been achieved, the client is referred to mental health expert such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
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