Anxiety Disorders The “fight or flight” reaction we all get when faced with a threat or some danger is a normal human response. A panic attack is a discrete period of intense apprehension, fear or terror usually associated with a feeling of impending doom. Panic attacks have symptoms of heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chocking sensations, sweating and a fear of going crazy or losing control and wanting to escape.
People who have had a panic attack are so fearful of having another one they go to great lengths to avoid situations where one might occur. This avoidance behavior usually makes panic attacks worse.
Types Of Anxiety Disorders Panic attacks are sudden, overwhelming periods of intense fear and anxiety associated with a fear of going crazy or impending doom.
Agoraphobia is anxiety about places or situations from which escape might be difficult or help may not be available. Phobias are anxiety fears triggered by exposure to certain objects or situations leading to avoidance behavior. These could include animals, injections, storms, elevators, heights and flying.
Social phobias are fears triggered by exposure to social or performance situations.
Obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCD) is characterized by thoughts or rituals we can’t stop.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by re-experiencing a traumatic event accompanied by symptoms of increased arousal and by avoidance of anything associated with the trauma.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry and uncertainty about the future.
Treatment Our clinical psychologists specialize in providing therapy for all forms of anxiety. Therapy consists of psycho-education so that you understand what is happening to you, cognitive behavior therapy to teach you how to manage your thoughts and feelings using exposure-response prevention techniques and finally learning new reactions using hypnotherapy and mindfulness strategies.
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