Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. It's characterized by a feeling of apprehension or fear about what will happen. Most people typically feel nervous in various situations, such as during public speaking, going for an interview, taking a test, starting new responsibilities, or relocating to a new place. Although you may find it unpleasant, this type of anxiety stimulates you to work harder and perform better.
However, if the situation worsens, such that the anxiety lasts for even more than six months and interferes with your daily life, you likely have a condition known as an anxiety disorder. This can lead to a persistent, intense feeling which can be devastating to your overall health. Although an anxiety disorder can affect anyone regardless of age, the American Psychiatric Association reveals that women are at higher risk than men.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Panic Disorder: Experiencing impromptu and repetitive panic attacks.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Having repetitive illogical thoughts drive you to perform certain repetitive behaviors.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Worrying about how people judge you in social situations.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: Fearing being far from home or away from your loved ones.
- Phobia: Having an excessive fear of a particular situation, object, or activity.
- Post-Traumatic Disorder: Experiencing anxiety after a traumatic incident.
- Illness anxiety disorder: Being anxious about your health.
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
The current research does not give the exact cause of anxiety. Still, there is the likelihood that a combination of factors, including the environment, genetics, and brain chemistry, play a role. It may impact the parts of the brain that controls fear.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are treatable through psychotherapy, biofeedback, supplementation, and medication. A combination of treatments may benefit you most.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders whereby you work with a therapist to relieve the anxiety symptoms. One of the most effective techniques is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on equipping you with specific skills you use to improve the symptoms and return to the activity you used to avoid. CBT includes exposure to the situation or object that sparks off your anxiety to help gain the confidence to handle the situation and anxiety symptoms.
We have also found EMDR and Brainspotting (BSP) to be very effective in treating trauma.
Medications
Several types of medication can help in relieving anxiety symptoms. It all depends on which type of anxiety disorder you have and whether you have underlying physical or mental health issues. Examples include specific antidepressants and an anti-anxiety medication. At the time, the doctor may recommend the use of sedatives for short-term relief.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback involves using electronic instrumentation to monitor specific, often unconscious physiological activities of a patient’s body and then “feeds back” the information to them. Once a patient becomes aware of his or her body’s processes, he or she can change those patterns to manage anxiety and stress.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback involves using electronic instrumentation to monitor specific, often unconscious physiological activities of a patient’s body and then “feeds back” the information to them. Once a patient becomes aware of his or her body’s processes, he or she can change those patterns to manage anxiety and stress.
Seek Help for Anxiety Disorders at BCB Therapy
At Bend & Boise Counseling & Biofeedback Therapy, we understand that mental health issues can be devastating. Luckily, they are treatable, and with our assistance, you will soon return to your daily life. We treat depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder and also offer family and relationship counseling.
BCB Therapy's mental health practice is located in Bend, Oregon. However, we can provide our services both in-person at our clinic and through teletherapy via smart devices to residents of the nearby cities of Prineville, Redmond, Bend, and the entire state of Oregon.
Teletherapy is an excellent option for patients since they receive treatment similar to an in-person visit while using their own smart device from the comfort of their home.
Our licensed therapists are experienced in helping patients address their anxiety disorders. Schedule an appointment with our mental health experts today!