Getting anxious is an emotion most people experience from time to time when faced with dangerous stimuli. Situations that may elicit this reaction include sitting examinations, attending job interviews, going for a first date and so on. In some people, this response is too extreme and may be present even for what would be regarded as harmless situations. This type of response is abnormal and requires therapy. There are several important aspects of anxiety therapy Toronto residents need to understand.
Diagnosis of the condition is largely clinical. The doctor takes a history of the illness and upon suspecting anxiety refers the client to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Affected persons will either avoid to respond or will respond excessively to protect themselves. There is significant impairment of normal functioning as a result of these responses. While the ordinary person responds normally to what is considered abnormal stimuli, a person with the disorder reacts abnormally to normal stimuli.
There are a number of different subtypes of the disorder recognized. They include obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, PTSD, specific phobias, social phobia and agoraphobia. There are minor differences in the symptomatic patterns as well as the therapies that are used. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one in which the client is anxious about a wide range of activities or events. They cannot identify the exact events.
GAD often coexists with other disorders such as depression and other subtypes of anxiety. It has been associated with alcoholism and suicidal tendencies. Patients will have nonspecific symptoms that include insomnia, generalized fatigue and chronic pain. The symptoms are typically intermittent and patients often relapse even after cure has been achieved. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is one of the commonly used forms of treatment. Others include systemic desensitization, hypnosis, relaxation therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Social phobia is the most common phobia with a lifetime prevalence rate of about 8%. The main feature is the presence of an intense form of fear that is persistently present in the presence of a certain object or event. There is a strong desire to flee from this object or event. Most people with this disorder greatly fear public embarrassment that may be caused by impulsive acts. There is significant interference with social relationships and normal functioning.
A specific phobia is experienced due to a specific situation or object. These include insects, blood, dental procedures and heights among others. Many persons with simple phobias lead normal lives. All the need to do is to avoid the phobic situation or object. The age of onset varies but most animal phobias present in early childhood. The treatments used here include cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of benzodiazepines.
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.
There are many types of anxiety disorders that exist all with unique symptoms and treatments. The process of finding the effective therapy starts with classifying the disorder. Therapy is administered by psychiatrists, psychologists and other trained professionals.
Diagnosis of the condition is largely clinical. The doctor takes a history of the illness and upon suspecting anxiety refers the client to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Affected persons will either avoid to respond or will respond excessively to protect themselves. There is significant impairment of normal functioning as a result of these responses. While the ordinary person responds normally to what is considered abnormal stimuli, a person with the disorder reacts abnormally to normal stimuli.
There are a number of different subtypes of the disorder recognized. They include obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, PTSD, specific phobias, social phobia and agoraphobia. There are minor differences in the symptomatic patterns as well as the therapies that are used. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one in which the client is anxious about a wide range of activities or events. They cannot identify the exact events.
GAD often coexists with other disorders such as depression and other subtypes of anxiety. It has been associated with alcoholism and suicidal tendencies. Patients will have nonspecific symptoms that include insomnia, generalized fatigue and chronic pain. The symptoms are typically intermittent and patients often relapse even after cure has been achieved. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is one of the commonly used forms of treatment. Others include systemic desensitization, hypnosis, relaxation therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Social phobia is the most common phobia with a lifetime prevalence rate of about 8%. The main feature is the presence of an intense form of fear that is persistently present in the presence of a certain object or event. There is a strong desire to flee from this object or event. Most people with this disorder greatly fear public embarrassment that may be caused by impulsive acts. There is significant interference with social relationships and normal functioning.
A specific phobia is experienced due to a specific situation or object. These include insects, blood, dental procedures and heights among others. Many persons with simple phobias lead normal lives. All the need to do is to avoid the phobic situation or object. The age of onset varies but most animal phobias present in early childhood. The treatments used here include cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of benzodiazepines.
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.
There are many types of anxiety disorders that exist all with unique symptoms and treatments. The process of finding the effective therapy starts with classifying the disorder. Therapy is administered by psychiatrists, psychologists and other trained professionals.
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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.
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