Anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common mental illnesses worldwide, taking many forms.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is especially common in teens and adults, affecting their social, academic, extra-curricular, and professional activities. GAD affects every aspect of life, but other anxiety disorders are more focused.

Phobias are irrational fears of something specific, like spiders, confined spaces, or heights. Social anxiety disorder is a phobia centered around being with others, especially strangers and large groups. Anxiety is also a primary symptom of other common mental health disorders.

Conditions that usually trigger anxiety symptoms include:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): People with OCD become obsessed with specific topics that they often find distressing and unwelcome. They develop compulsive behaviors to help control the intrusive thoughts. A common obsession is cleanliness, stemming from germ phobia. The fear of dirt and infection causes patients to compulsively wash their hands, often so frequently and for so long that their skin bleeds. Being unable to complete their rituals causes intense anxiety and panic.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Trauma can cause severe anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks where you relive the traumatic event. PTSD can develop after any trauma, from a personal assault to living in a war zone.

Common anxiety symptoms include:

• Nervousness
• Racing thoughts
• Catastrophic thinking (focusing on doom and gloom)
• Irritability
• Excessive worrying
• Difficulties controlling worry
• Restlessness
• Feeling on edge
• Tiring quickly (fatigue)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbances
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Restless legs

Living with anxiety can be disabling. Excessive worry can take over your life and stop you from engaging in school, work, and relationships.

Anxiety treatments include:

• Psychotherapy: Bethany and her team at EQ Perspectives use proven counseling techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people overcome their anxiety.
• Medication: Anti-anxiety drugs reduce your symptoms so that you can function better in daily life and benefit more from talk therapy. EQ Perspectives uses GeneSight® DNA testing to ensure that you receive the medication most suited to your genetic makeup.
• Relaxation: Learning to calm yourself helps you manage anxiety symptoms and avoid panic attacks. You might benefit from deep breathing exercises, self-soothing, thought reframing (looking at your fears from a different point of view), and positive affirmations (focusing on what’s good and celebrating success).

The team also offers skill-building work to boost your self-confidence and help you achieve your goals. They provide partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) to 13- to 18-year-olds. Telehealth services are also made available to adults.

Call EQ Perspectives today or book an appointment online for help overcoming anxiety.