Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety describes overwhelming feelings of worry that aren’t logical for the situation. While everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, constant worrying can be a sign of an anxiety disorder.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that causes persistent anxious feelings, negative thoughts, and excessive worries for no identifiable reason. Other disorders that fall under the umbrella of anxiety include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

OCD is a condition that causes you to experience intrusive thoughts and the need to perform certain behaviors.

Panic disorder

A panic disorder causes episodes of unexpected panic (panic attacks) for no specific reason. These attacks can even occur at night, waking you up from sleep and leaving you feeling scared and overwhelmed.

Social anxiety

Social anxiety is a disorder that makes you feel fearful of social situations. The condition causes you to feel awkward or overwhelmed around others and experience physical symptoms like sweating, nausea, and rapid heartbeat.

Phobias

A phobia describes an extreme and irrational fear of certain objects or situations. Common phobias include fear of heights, insects, thunderstorms, or medical procedures. Exposure to these things can result in uncontrollable anxiety, panic attacks, and uncomfortable physical symptoms.

When you have persistent or overwhelming fears or worries that you can’t control, you should schedule a consultation with the team at The Transformation Center.

How is anxiety diagnosed?

During your evaluation for anxiety, your provider at The Transformation Center spends time reviewing your medical history and your existing health. They focus on identifying possible underlying health conditions that may be causing your anxiety-related symptoms.

Your provider also takes time to discuss many aspects of your life that may be triggering anxiety, such as your job, relationships, or family dynamic.

Based on your evaluation, The Transformation Center team customizes a treatment plan that helps you learn to cope with your feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

How is anxiety treated?

There are several therapeutic options available at The Transformation Center to help you manage your anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety. Also known as talk therapy, CBT can help you realize the triggers of your anxious feelings and provide you with coping skills to better manage your condition in the long-term.

Other holistic therapies that can help you address anxious feelings, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors include:

• Yoga
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

Your provider at The Transformation Center continues to work with you through your outpatient therapy sessions to ensure your anxiety is under control. They may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce your anxious feelings, such as getting regular exercises, limiting caffeine, and engaging in meditation and breathing exercises to relieve stress.

If persistent anxiety is interfering with your quality of life, schedule an evaluation with the team at The Transformation Center to get the help you deserve. You can call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.