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Types of Anxiety Disorders

At some point in our lives, most of us will experience anxiety. It’s actually a natural reaction to many stressors such as starting a new job, taking final exams, and becoming a new parent.

Now for many people, the anxiety will subside once the stressor goes away. But for others, anxiety becomes persistent and even excessive, even without obvious stressors, interfering with daily life. In these cases, the person is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, roughly 31% of adults in this country will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. In fact, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States.

Anxiety disorders include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Phobias
  • Separation anxiety disorder
  • Agoraphobia
  • Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can trigger symptoms such as:

  • Excessive fear and worrying
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Panic
  • Irritability
  • Irrational fear of danger
  • Racing thoughts
  • Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
  • Sleep issues
  • Headache and stomachache
  • Pounding heart
  • Insomnia
  • Trembling
  • Muscle tension

How are Anxiety Orders Treated?

If you are suffering with an anxiety disorder, life may feel overwhelming…most of the time. There is effective help you can access. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can reduce or eliminate your uncomfortable symptoms. Evidence based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), provided by trained and registered mental health professionals, are a good place to start. Treatment may also include developing skills for breathing and relaxation as well as improving your general wellbeing via sleep, diet, exercise and pleasant events.

If you’d like to explore therapy options, please reach out to me. Life can get better.

SOURCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/types-of-anxiety

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/diseases/mental-health-anxiety-disorders.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-cube/202204/4-types-anxiety

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Symptoms of OCD

According to the Canadian Psychological Association, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects about 1% of the population. The disorder is characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts or fears (obsessions) that cause an individual to perform a set of repetitive behaviors (compulsions). OCD interferes with a person’s daily activities and can lead to significant distress.

Symptoms of OCD

People that have been diagnosed with OCD typically experience both obsessions and compulsions. However, there are some individuals who only experience symptoms of obsessions or only symptoms of compulsion.

Symptoms of Obsession

Obsessions are persistent and repeated unwanted thoughts, urges or images that cause you to feel stress or anxiety. Though you may try to ignore these mental intrusions, most with OCD relieve the stress and tension by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of obsessions:

  • Fear of being somehow contaminated by an object they just touched. Usually the fear is of germs.
  • A strong feeling of doubt or uncertainty. You’re already a half hour into your morning commute to work but are overcome by the idea that you left the front door unlocked.
  • And intense need to have objects orderly or arranged in a specific way.
  • Intense thoughts or imaginings of losing control and harming yourself or others.
  • Unpleasant sexual images.
  • Thoughts of acting inappropriately, such as shouting obscenities in public.

Symptoms of Compulsion

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to perform in an effort to relieve the stress triggered by their obsession or stop something bad from happening.

Some of the most common symptoms of compulsion are:

  • Washing and cleaning. A person can wash their hands so much they develop sores and blisters.
  • Checking and rechecking. This may be checking and rechecking to make sure you set your alarm, locked the door, or turned off the stove.
  • Counting
  • Orderliness to an extreme. You may arrange and rearrange items in your medicine cabinet or on your bedside table over and over again until they are just right.

Is it Time to Get Help?

Some people make the mistake of confusing perfectionism – a driving urge to have flawless results or a perfect performance – with OCD. But they are not the same thing. OCD symptoms take a real toll on an individual and interfere with their quality of life.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with OCD or you think you or they may have OCD based on these symptoms, please contact our office. We would be happy to speak to you about your specific concerns and the treatment options available to you.

SOURCES:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432

https://www.disorders.org/anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/10-most-common-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms/

“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Filed Under: ocd

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Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors and Treatment Options

According to the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, the term body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) describes a group of behaviors thought to be related to anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The behaviors can include hair pulling, skin picking, nail-biting, knuckle cracking, and tooth grinding, to name some. 

Treatment Options

The question of why people engage in these repetitive behaviors has challenged mental health professionals for many years. While we don’t know the exact reasons or mechanisms for development, we now recognize specific treatments that have been proven effective.

It’s important to mention that professional help should be received from a mental health provider that has been specially trained to treat BFRB’s. This can be the difference between receiving treatment that has little or no impact and treatment that is very helpful.

One treatment recommended for BFRBs is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals deal with repetitive behaviors by helping them identify the triggers that cause the behavior in the first place. Once the trigger has been identified, therapy focuses on changing the reaction to the trigger, or the behavior. 

Another treatment option that may prove effective is called Habit Reversal Training (HRT). HRT helps people recognize their patterns and manage any negative emotions associated with them.

To reiterate, finding a mental health professional who is well-versed in using behavioral science and behavioral interventions is key. When looking for therapists in your local area, be sure they have training and experience in providing BFRB treatments. Call the provider and ask some of your questions.

If you or someone you know is suffering from BFRBs and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with Dr. Corrick Woodfin. He would be happy to discuss how he may be able to help.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: cbt

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Dealing with Family Trauma Around the Holidays

The holidays are often a complex time for many people. On the one hand, there is a sense of joy in the air, while on the other hand, sorrow and grief because of either a loss or dysfunctional family dynamic.

The following are some ways you can deal with family trauma around the holidays.

Have an Escape Plan

It’s important to not isolate over the holidays. Being around loved ones who support and care for you can be a comfort. Having said that, you’ll also want to have a plan that will allow you to get away from crowds and holiday festivities when you feel yourself become triggered or emotional. This may mean you drive separately to an event so you can leave when YOU want and need. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and stick to them.

Feel Your Feelings

The holidays mean everyone is supposed to ‘put on a good face’ and act merry and jolly, right? No. It’s important to really feel your feelings, not ignore them or pretend they don’t exist. We can only heal from trauma by facing the full extent of our darkness. If you had plans to spend time with loved ones but suddenly feel angry, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed, do not deny these feelings and try to put on a good face so others have a good time. It’s better to gracefully bow out of the plans and be 100% genuine with your feelings. 

Make Self-Care a Priority

When we relive our trauma and deal with big emotions, it’s easy to let self-care slip and eat poorly, drink too much and get far too little sleep. Dealing with trauma takes energy and mental clarity, and that will require you to treat your heart, mind, AND body with gentleness and care.

You may also want to speak with someone during this time. A psychologist can help you navigate your feelings and offer coping strategies. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please feel free to call or email me.

SOURCES:

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