Treatmenting Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common reason people seek therapy. This ranges from paralyzing anxiety that can halt life for long periods, through specific anxieties such as test anxiety or social anxiety, to mild anxiety feelings that people live with for many years. Anxiety is an emotional-physical-mental phenomenon, so an integrative approach that addresses all characteristics of anxiety is the most effective way to work with anxiety and reduce it.
Psychological Treatment for Severe Anxiety
Treating severe anxiety is one of the areas I specialize in at my clinic. It is neither a short nor a simple path, but it is possible. In therapy, we will work on the anxiety itself and on all areas of life that have been damaged or diminished because of it. We will understand the mechanism that reinforces the anxiety and slowly dismantle it together. An integrated approach to anxiety allows us to address everything anxiety does to us - the chest pressure, repetitive and disturbing thoughts, and the complex emotions that follow - with different tools that work with what each person experiences, and for each person, it's always slightly different. Although life is full of reasons for anxiety, it is possible to learn how to experience it less and less.
I'm here for you
To schedule an appointment, leave your details and I will get back to you as soon as possible
FAQ
What is a normal stress response versus an anxiety disorder?
Stress and Anxiety
Stress is a normal emotional and physiological response that appears during times of distress or threatening situations. Stress and mental arousal are healthy; in reasonable amounts, they are expected and even desirable, as they prepare and prompt us to respond to dangerous or challenging situations.
In contrast, an anxiety disorder is a condition where anxiety becomes disproportionate, appears frequently, and lasts for unreasonable periods. Anxiety significantly impairs daily functioning. Sometimes this involves anxiety that occurs even when there is no real threat or stressful situation.
The main differences between "normal" anxiety and anxiety disorders:
Intensity and severity of symptoms - Those of anxiety disorders will appear in extreme, acute, and frequent forms.
Frequency and duration of symptoms - In disorders, symptoms recur frequently and are prolonged, while in normal anxiety, they are limited.
And of course, impact on functioning - Anxiety disorders significantly impair the ability to function at work, in family life, and in daily activities.
While moderate anxiety that fits the situation is a normal response, when it becomes excessive, frequent, and burdensome to daily life, it is a disorder that requires treatment.
What are the different types of anxiety disorders?
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are typically divided into different types, but it's important to remember that each person is different and that anxiety is a human phenomenon that manifests differently in everyone. Below is a general classification that helps distinguish between various manifestations of anxiety:
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - Characterized by chronic anxiety and worries about a wide range of everyday events and activities.
-
Panic Disorder - Manifested by severe anxiety attacks that include physical symptoms and extreme anxieties such as fear of death.
-
Specific Phobia Disorder - Extreme anxiety toward particular things or situations, such as heights, enclosed spaces, crowds, and so forth.
-
Social Anxiety Disorder - Anxiety in social situations and fear of public embarrassment.
-
Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD - Anxiety symptoms, nightmares, flashbacks, and recurring intrusive thoughts as a reaction to a traumatic event.
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Compulsive thoughts and urges that cause anxiety and repetitive compulsive behaviors.
-
Other Unique Anxiety Disorders - Such as peripartum stress disorder, nausea disorder of unknown origin, and others.
It is worth noting that there are certain overlaps between disorders, and some cases exhibit characteristics of more than one disorder. Identifying and treating the specific anxiety disorder is essential to provide the most tailored and effective treatment possible.
What types of treatments are available for anxiety disorders?
Treatment Approaches for Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of treatment for anxiety disorders. One of the most common methods is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It focuses on identifying and addressing unwanted thoughts and behavioral patterns that contribute to anxiety, using techniques such as gradual exposure.
Another option is medication therapy. The use of medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepine family drugs, and other anti-anxiety medications can alleviate anxiety symptoms.
A broader therapeutic approach to anxiety is psychotherapy, which uses tools such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and others. An additional tool that has come into use in recent years is EMDR - a tool for dealing with anxiety and trauma through the integration of exposure with eye movements.
My approach is an integrative approach based on the understanding that combining several therapeutic approaches - behavioral, emotional, and pharmacological - can provide a more complete and adequate response, especially for severe and generalized anxiety.