Anxiety Disorders And Treatment

Anxiety is one of the most frequent reasons for clients entering treatment. It appears in combination with other symptoms, as well as appearing by itself. Many times people deal with anxiety themselves. Other times the anxiety is too great or cannot be sufficiently lessened or eliminated and the client goes for assistance. When our anxiety gets in the way of our or our family’s life help is necessary.

Anxiety can present differently in each case. It can be global, about “everything”, affecting much of our thoughts and day. It can be specific, such as a fear of confined spaces like elevators, or of spiders, or heights. It can be anxiety when in social situations, or anxiety when we leave our home, leaving us increasingly isolated and homebound. In the height of anxiety we may have a panic attack; heart racing, thoughts racing, muscles tightening, and feelings similar to a heart attack.

If and when that occurs seek medical attention first. Eliminating a medical cause is the first step for addressing problems with anxiety. Clients of mine that were referred had heart problems, digestive problems or thyroid conditions that were previously unknown or misdiagnosed. Other clients have had neurological or other medical problems that were the cause of their anxiety. No matter what, ruling out medical conditions is the first step.

Counseling can be an effective tool. It is important to realize that “no man is an island”, that we cannot do everything ourselves. If we are lost we need to ask for help; even though we know familiar areas, we can still get lost in unfamiliar territory.

Sometimes in treatment noticing our thought process and how it impacts us emotionally can be helpful. Making changes in our thinking and with our behaviors can help us to reduce and eliminate the anxiety.

At other times even though the anxiety may be illogical, or “not make sense” it I still remains and does not respond to logical arguments. We may think about something obsessively, like dying or storms and repetitively do something, such as washing or other compulsions as attempts to lower our anxiety. We may get overwhelmed, “feel frozen”, have a panic attack, or be afraid of having more panic attacks.

Deep breathing exercises, meditation and yoga may be helpful. Hypnosis, by a clinician with a Masters or Doctorate certified in hypnosis has been extremely effective. Addressing underlying issues in hypnosis or regular psychotherapy lowers the anxiety further. In therapy the focus is on us. We don’t need to worry about the therapists feelings, or whether they like us. We only need to focus on getting better.

When the anxiety is debilitating medication may also be helpful. In addition to the benzodiazapenes such as valium, the medications known as SSRI’s have been effective for a number of people. Paxil and Lexapro are two of the medications clients of mine have found effective. They “corridor” anxiety and depression, allowing the client to feel all feelings but not feel “high” or “like a zombie”.
As I am not a medical doctor or psychiatrist, I have referred clients for medication evaluation, to see whether medication may be helpful. I do not meet with pharmaceutical companies, get paid or in any way financially gain from a client being on medication. I just look at it as an option; it’s there if it’s needed. We try counseling or hypnosis first, or in addition to medication, with the goal, if possible, of only using counseling or hypnosis. I say if possible because, for some, medication may continue to be necessary. Some people view medication as an enemy; I view it as a tool to be used if other methods with no side effects fail or are not lowering the anxiety enough. I am a realist.

Ultimately, as a therapist my goal is to make myself uncessary with the door remaining open if a client needs assistance in the future. Life presents different challenges at different times and it can be nice to know that another individual that understands is a phone call away. n