Anxiety Disorders: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Whilst anxiety is a completely normal part of being a human, sometimes it can become excessive and develop into an anxiety disorder. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of anxiety disorders, signs of an anxiety disorder, and the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Here are the 6 most common anxiety disorders:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive worrying and feeling anxious
- Social Anxiety Disorder – feeling extremely anxious in social situations
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – distressing obsessions and compulsions
- Panic Disorder – experiencing regular panic attacks
- Health Anxiety – excessive worrying about your health
- Phobias (including Vomit Phobia) – extreme fears about something
Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Have you ever found yourself wondering ‘do I have an anxiety disorder?’. Here are the most common signs of anxiety disorders I see in my clients:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder – Do you excessively worry about a range of different things? People with generalised anxiety disorder find it hard to control their worry and have constant emotional and physical feelings of anxiety usually about something going wrong.
Social Anxiety Disorder – Do you worry about what others think of you and whether you’ve embarrassed yourself? People with social anxiety worry before, during and after social situations, and sometimes avoid social events altogether because they worry people will notice they’re anxiety.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Do you worry about something bad happening and it being your fault? People with OCD experience unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety and lead to repetitive behaviours (compulsions) as a way of coping.
Panic Disorder Do you get sudden attacks of anxiety and feel like you might pass out or die? People with panic disorder experience frequent panic attacks characterised by intense physical symptoms that seem to come out of the blue, and they worry about having further panic attacks.
Health Anxiety – Do you worry that you’re ill or might get ill? People with health anxiety spend a lot of time worrying about whether their bodily symptoms indicate illness, checking their bodies for signs of illness, and often seeking reassurance from doctors.
Phobias – Do you have an overwhelming fear of a specific thing? People with phobias experience debilitating anxiety when faced with a particular feared object, place, situation or animal, and often avoid this thing at all costs.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment
Whilst there are different types of talking therapies available, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended as the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders by the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Medications, such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also be used to help alleviate anxiety symptoms. These medications are sometimes recommend in conjunction with CBT for optimal results.
The Power of CBT for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders can significantly impact your quality of life. However it is possible to learn to manage your symptoms effectively and lead a fulfilling life with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT will help you to;
- Understand the nature of your anxiety disorder and its causes.
- Make sense of how your anxiety disorder developed, how it presents itself, and what maintains it.
- Learn practical tools and techniques to reduce your anxiety symptoms.
- Build up coping strategies so that you can tackle avoidance.
- Continue to progress towards your goals.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an anxiety disorder, it’s important to reach out to a qualified therapist who can provide support and effective treatment. With the right help and guidance, it is possible to overcome your anxiety disorder and live a life free from the constraints of anxiety and avoidance.
Find Out More
I specialise in working with perfectionists. Not all perfectionists have an anxiety disorder, but a lot do because unhealthy perfectionism can have a negative impact on your mental health. As a result I have lots of experience in helping clients successfully overcome anxiety disorders. If you’re looking for a BABCP Accredited Senior CBT Therapist to work on your anxiety you can book an appointment here.
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