Getting anxious is normal and something that all of us have deal with from time. As a matter of fact, it is regarded as a normal response to stimuli as it helps us detect dangers in our environments and initiate the appropriate response. Anxiety may also become abnormal in some cases requiring therapy. To understand the available modalities for anxiety therapy Toronto residents need to know some basics regarding the disorder.
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 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 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.
Persons that have persistent intense fear that is associated with a compelling need to flee so as to avoid the phobic object or event should be evaluated for social phobias. Such people are extremely fearful of being publicly embarrassed by engaging in impulsive acts. As is the case with GAD, this fear interferes with normal routine and affects social activities and relationships. This phobia is the commonest of all phobias that exist and has a lifetime prevalence of about 8%.
Specific phobias are fears of specific objects or situations. These include animals, insects, heights of buildings and dental procedures among others. Simple phobias do not always impair normal functioning and many people with this problem lead near normal lives. The most important thing is to avoid the phobic situation. The onset is in the years of early childhood. Treatments for this therapy include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
It is important that proper investigations are done. This is because there may be medical conditions that are presenting with these symptoms. This means that one has to undergo a physical and have some tests done. Imaging studies using the CT scan and MRI are some of the most sensitive investigative modalities.
When seeking the treatment for anxiety disorder, you need to understand there are several subtypes that exist all with varying treatments. Proper classification is the first step to finding the most effective form of management to be employed. The therapy will typically be administered by mental health experts such as psychiatrist and psychologists.
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 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 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.
Persons that have persistent intense fear that is associated with a compelling need to flee so as to avoid the phobic object or event should be evaluated for social phobias. Such people are extremely fearful of being publicly embarrassed by engaging in impulsive acts. As is the case with GAD, this fear interferes with normal routine and affects social activities and relationships. This phobia is the commonest of all phobias that exist and has a lifetime prevalence of about 8%.
Specific phobias are fears of specific objects or situations. These include animals, insects, heights of buildings and dental procedures among others. Simple phobias do not always impair normal functioning and many people with this problem lead near normal lives. The most important thing is to avoid the phobic situation. The onset is in the years of early childhood. Treatments for this therapy include pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
It is important that proper investigations are done. This is because there may be medical conditions that are presenting with these symptoms. This means that one has to undergo a physical and have some tests done. Imaging studies using the CT scan and MRI are some of the most sensitive investigative modalities.
When seeking the treatment for anxiety disorder, you need to understand there are several subtypes that exist all with varying treatments. Proper classification is the first step to finding the most effective form of management to be employed. The therapy will typically be administered by mental health experts such as psychiatrist and psychologists.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment