Getting anxious is an emotion most people experience from time to time when faced with dangerous stimuli. Situations that may elicit this reaction include sitting examinations, attending job interviews, going for a first date and so on. In some people, this response is too extreme and may be present even for what would be regarded as harmless situations. This type of response is abnormal and requires therapy. There are several important aspects of anxiety therapy Toronto residents need to understand.
Diagnosis of the condition is largely clinical. The doctor takes a history of the illness and upon suspecting anxiety refers the client to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Affected persons will either avoid to respond or will respond excessively to protect themselves. There is significant impairment of normal functioning as a result of these responses. While the ordinary person responds normally to what is considered abnormal stimuli, a person with the disorder reacts abnormally to normal stimuli.
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 usually coexists with other types of anxiety and some mental illnesses such as depression. Patients may have complaints such as sleep disturbance, chronic pain and generalized fatigue. These symptoms are usually intermittent and tend to recur even after treatment has been achieved. Over time the patients may become alcoholics and start to exhibit suicidal tendencies. Treatments that are commonly used include systemic desensitization, relaxation therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and hypnosis among others.
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.
A specific phobia is experienced due to a specific situation or object. These include insects, blood, dental procedures and heights among others. Many persons with simple phobias lead normal lives. All the need to do is to avoid the phobic situation or object. The age of onset varies but most animal phobias present in early childhood. The treatments used here include cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of benzodiazepines.
The diagnosis has to be confirmed using investigations. At times, medical conditions may have similar symptoms and it is important that these are ruled out. Some blood tests may be required depending on the suspicion of your doctor. MRI and CT scan are some of the most commonly used imaging modalities.
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.
Diagnosis of the condition is largely clinical. The doctor takes a history of the illness and upon suspecting anxiety refers the client to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Affected persons will either avoid to respond or will respond excessively to protect themselves. There is significant impairment of normal functioning as a result of these responses. While the ordinary person responds normally to what is considered abnormal stimuli, a person with the disorder reacts abnormally to normal stimuli.
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 usually coexists with other types of anxiety and some mental illnesses such as depression. Patients may have complaints such as sleep disturbance, chronic pain and generalized fatigue. These symptoms are usually intermittent and tend to recur even after treatment has been achieved. Over time the patients may become alcoholics and start to exhibit suicidal tendencies. Treatments that are commonly used include systemic desensitization, relaxation therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and hypnosis among others.
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.
A specific phobia is experienced due to a specific situation or object. These include insects, blood, dental procedures and heights among others. Many persons with simple phobias lead normal lives. All the need to do is to avoid the phobic situation or object. The age of onset varies but most animal phobias present in early childhood. The treatments used here include cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of benzodiazepines.
The diagnosis has to be confirmed using investigations. At times, medical conditions may have similar symptoms and it is important that these are ruled out. Some blood tests may be required depending on the suspicion of your doctor. MRI and CT scan are some of the most commonly used imaging modalities.
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.
About the Author:
When there is a need for anxiety therapy Toronto psychologist is the best person to turn to. Schedule an appointment with this qualified therapist today through http://danakelso.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment