Waiting for bad things to happen
Anxiety occurs when we run into stressful situations. We experience it everyday, since living in the modern world is quite stressful. We need to make the deadline in work, to think about how to fit in, or to face the challenges from others. We normally automatically adjust our anxious condition back to a more relaxed status very quickly. When we are able to get out of the stressful situation, anxiety basically begins to reduce. Nonetheless, the anxiety can become easily triggered in our daily lives and make life very difficult for us. In this case, we can hardly be our relaxed self and perform as who we really are. It might be caused by traumatic incident, or has gradually formed in our nerves system as a habitual reaction.
The possible causes for anxiety
- Stressful environment
- Phobia
- Traumatic Event/ Past Trauma
- Feeling limited/suppressed
- Feeling abnormal
- Insecurity
Here is how anxiety often manifests on different levels,
Emotional level
- Stressed
- Self-doubt
- Apprehensive
- Worry
- Paranoid/Self-Conscious
- Suspicious
- Self-critical
- Panic
Physical level
- Tight/contracted neck, shoulders, chest, and/or lower back
- Chest pain / stomach aches / headache
- Rapid heart beat
- Breathing problems
- Shivering / Twitching
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Sensitive
Cognitive level
- Addictive personality
- Overly sensitive
- Limited choices
Unconscious level
- Nightmares
Anxiety Disorder is often used, it actually refers to a family of
anxiety problems which including the following:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterized by long lasting, chronic anxiety. This is often
exhibited as exaggerated worry or tension, even when there is little
or nothing that appears to be causing it. It can be rather low level,
but wears you down day after day. Both CBT and Mindfulness are very
useful with this type of problem.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is another type of Anxiety disorder. It is characterized by
recurrent, unwanted thoughts ( called obsessions) and/or repetitive
behaviors (called compulsions). This might involve repetitive
behaviors such as hand-washing, counting, checking if a light is off,
or repetitive cleaning performed with the hope of preventing the
obsessive thoughts or making them go away. This behaviour, sometimes
in response to the worry about anxiety is sometimes referred to as
“secondary anxiety.” Worry about worry. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
and Exposure Therapy have been found to be highly effective.
Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)
Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks) is at the other end of the spectrum and
involves unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear that are
accompanied by physical symptoms. This is a common problem for
individuals after a traumatic event, but can also develop on it’s own
over time. It may or may not develop into PTSD, and again, can develop
without the precipitating event we expect in PTSD. The symptoms might
include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness, or abdominal distress or pain. Some people fear they are
dying or having a heart attack during episodes of panic, which can add
to their distress. It is often seen as a fear of losing control.
Exposure therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are effective, and
Mindfulness training can help avoid relapse in the future.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop after exposure to an event or ordeal in which
physical harm occurred to either the sufferer or someone they
witnessed experiencing this, or sometimes when such harm or injury was
threatened. This might include a violent assault, experiencing a
natural disaster, an accident, or often occurs after military combat.
A diagnosis of PTSD involves specific symptoms and periods of time
experiencing these symptoms. Treatment is often needed to avoid
serious disruption to daily life. PTSD is treatable with Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy.
Social Phobia (or social anxiety disorder)
Aaron has not yet added this to the menu, and I can’t figure out how
to in the new program. Here is Anxiety, I’m finishing depression
right now.
Social Phobias are characterized by a sense of overwhelming anxiety
and excessive self-consciousness in while involved in common social
situations and activity. We have new and effective means of teaching
children as young as 5 the techniques of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
and often suggest texts and stories such as “When My Troubles Get Too
Big,” and “The Incredible Five Point Scale.”
Summary
Anxiety Disorders and Stress are treatable and often respond to
medication as well as counselling and therapy, especially Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an
evidence-based form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important
role that our thoughts, beliefs (cognitions) and behaviors play in
determining how we feel and behave. CBT has been shown to be effective
in treating Anxiety Disorders. As a psychologist I have received
specialized training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at the Albert
Ellis Institute in New York, including over one year of clinical
supervision in providing CBT and obtaining an advanced certificate in
CBT from The Albert Ellis Institute.
