Anxiety Disorders (including “general or generalized anxiety disorder” but also other types of disorders, as discussed below) are the most common mental health counseling issues with over 19 million adults suffering from an anxiety disorder. The cause is believed to be a combination of genetics (seems to run in families), environment, lifestyle (your grandma maybe was right – “eat right, sleep enough, exercise, don’t worry about the little stuff…”), personality and possibly brain chemistry.
Treatment for anxiety disorders are very successful when the methods used include the most effective forms of help, including a combination of stress reduction and relaxation practices, cognitive and behavioral therapy, biofeedback, breathing training and lifestyle support – all provided by professionals experienced in treating anxiety disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

We all know the feeling of anxiety before going to a job interview or before an important test. The feeling of our heart pounding, palms sweating, dry mouth and scattered thoughts. That is fear. It motivates us to stay safe, prepare for a challenge and think ahead. It helps us avoid danger and prepare for success. And of course anxiety can also get in our way of being happy, healthy and successful.

Sometimes anxiety seems like a fear or worry that won’t go away or explodes into a panic attack – sometimes for no apparent reason. It can keep us from doing the things we need to do each day to care for ourselves and our families. That is when ordinary anxiety becomes an anxiety disorder. Treatment is often the best course of action at that point. Anxiety counseling and treatment is usually brief (a few weeks) and is very successful in most cases.

Anxiety Disorders (including “general or generalized anxiety disorder” but also other types of disorders, as discussed below) are the most common mental health counseling issues with over 19 million adults suffering from an anxiety disorder. The cause is believed to be a combination of genetics (seems to run in families), environment, lifestyle (your grandma maybe was right – “eat right, sleep enough, exercise, don’t worry about the little stuff…”), personality and possibly brain chemistry.

Treatment for anxiety disorders are very successful when the methods used include the most effective forms of help, including a combination of stress reduction and relaxation practices, cognitive and behavioral therapy, biofeedback, breathing training and lifestyle support – all provided by professionals experienced in treating anxiety disorder.

Medication

At SummerSmith, we work with a variety of physicians who are expert in treating anxiety disorders, who share our “only when necessary” approach to medication.

Anxiety medication treatment is usually not necessary. A medication-free approach, most studies suggest, avoids the risks and side-affects of many anxiety medications, is usually as effective as the use of medication alone and has longer lasting success. However, occasionally, medication may be necessary as a temporary support.

Anxiety Disorders come in several types – each with their own list of symptoms and often requiring a slightly different anxiety treatment for the best results.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (also known as GAD or general anxiety disorder) is characterized by excessive worry about a wide variety of possible events or activities – including work, school, money, health, etc.

Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms lasting for 6 months or more, and may also include a feeling of restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep problems/insomnia, stomach pain, dizziness, shaking and trembling, and others.

Generalized anxiety disorder treatment involves assisting you learning how to interrupt and change the combined pattern of fearful thoughts, body sensations and pattern of avoiding activities that are normally enjoyable. Once some successful new skills are learned, you can begin the process of gradually returning to a more enjoyable activity schedule.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessions are thoughts, impulses or mental images that cause anxiety and seem excessive. Obsessions may include worry about contamination, fears about behaving improperly or concerns of safety.

Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms include things like repetitive behaviors or mental acts (handwashing, cleaning, counting, repeating words silently, etc. – that the person feels they do in an attempt to reduce the distress of the obsessive thoughts. This usually creates a rigidly applied pattern or routine of thoughts and behaviors that the individual feels pressure to complete.

Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)

A severe anxiety attack may feel like you are “going crazy”or having a heart attack for no appearant reason. The symptoms may include heart pounding or a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling or feeling like you are choking – with no medical explanation.

These severe and sudden symptoms can leave a person with continuing worry of the possibility of future attacks. The person may limit their behavior in attempt to prevent a return of the panic attack or “losing control” by avoiding social environments like restaurants, work, school, etc. It is common for these anxiety panic attacks to be so severe that the individual feels like they are dying – leaving the person very fearful of situations or environments where the may have “no escape”.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Most people have some anxiety when offering a public speech,or meeting someone new. However, when these worries limit our ability to attend school, work or have friends – the worry may be the signs of a social phobia or social anxiety disorder. Signs of social anxiety disorder may include worry for several days before attending a common social event. It may limit the ability to have relationships or function in a work setting.

Physical symptoms associated with this include heavy perspiration, blushing, dizziness and rapid heartbeat.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often follows exposure to a traumatic event that triggered an intense fear, feeling of helplessness or horror. PTSD has three main symptoms; reliving of the traumatic event (flashbacks), avoidance of people or places that may trigger flashbacks and physiological symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, mood changes or consentration problems.

Specific Phobias

Specific phobias include excessive fears of specific objects or situations (such as insects, flying, blood, receiving an injection, heights, etc.). The person having the fear knows it is unreasonable but continues to experience the fear and therefore tries to avoid the fear – which may include avoiding important everyday situations.

Fear of public speaking, fear of flying, fear of water and many other common phobic conditions are devastating for the person who suffers them. Overcoming fear of public speaking or fear of flying may not sound like much to someone who is not afflicted by them, but it is very important for improving the quality of life of someone who is.

Childhood Anxiety Disorders

Also the most common mental health issue with children, anxiety disorder in a child affects an estimated 13% of those aged 9-17. Left untreated, childhood anxiety disorders–including generalized anxiety disorder in a child and separation anxiety disorder in a child—are believed to have links to alcohol addiction and depression later in life.

Recent studies have indicated that anxiety disorders in a child are largely unrecognized in most children. This is even more unfortunate in light of the fact that we know of effective childhood anxiety treatments. Specialized anxiety counseling is effective and can relieve many of the anxiety disorder symptoms and potential future problems.

However, the problems must first be recognized. Symptoms include extreme shyness or fearfulness, or social withdrawl. The signs also include many of the symptoms already listed on our main page for Anxiety and Panic Management for adult anxiety disorders.

Testing and Performance Anxiety

To learn more and get help with Test Taking Anxiety and Performance Anxiety go to our Test Anxiety Page.