Anxiety Counseling

Anxiety disorders can cause those suffering from them to avoid triggering situations and adversely affect work, school, and personal relationships.

​

Diagnosable anxiety disorders include symptoms such as:

 

• A reaction of fear and anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation or age-inappropriate

• Hindered ability to function normally
   

​

Different Types of Anxiety Disorders 

 

Anxiety disorders can range from panic attacks to specific phobias, social anxiety, and separation anxiety. Each manifests in different ways. 

 

General Anxiety Disorder 

This disorder  involves persisting, excessive worry and tension that interferes with daily life. You may feel tired, on-edge, restless, have difficulty concentrating or difficulty sleeping among other symptoms.

 

Panic Disorder

Panic attacks, which cause an overwhelming mix of physical and mental distress are the main symptoms of this disorder. Attacks often include a rapid or pounding heart rate, sweating, trembling, shaking, and shortness of breath. Chest pain, a choking sensation, numbness, nausea, abdominal pain, and chills can all appear physically. Mentally, you may feel detached, or have extreme fear of losing control or dying. Some who suffer from panic attacks visit a hospital as severe symptoms may mimic that of a heart attack. Panic attacks can also occur from other mental disorders, like depression or PTSD.

 

Phobias

Phobia refers to an excessive and continued fear of a situation, activity, or objects that is not typically harmful. Those suffering from such phobias may go to great lengths to avoid what they are afraid of, such as flying, or snakes.
 

Agoraphobia

Like other phobias, agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations that may cause panic symptoms. This includes avoiding situations such as open or enclosed spaces, being in a line or crowd, using public transport, or being outside of your residence alone.

 

In situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms. The fear is out of proportion to the actual situation and lasts generally six months or more and causes problems in functioning. A person with agoraphobia experiences this fear in two or more of the following situations:

 

Social Anxiety Disorder 

This type of anxiety causes situational avoidance or a painful endurance of situations involving social interaction, such as meeting new people, or public speaking.

 

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is an excessive fear and anxiety about separating from a person or persons to whom you’re attached, and feeling worried about losing the person closest to you, or being reluctant to go out or sleep without that person.
 

​

Causes of Anxiety

 

Anxiety disorders can run in families, or be caused by the environment in which you live. It can also be developmental or have a psychological root. 

 

Conditions also related to anxiety include:

 

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Acute stress disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Adjustment disorder
   

​

Anxiety Diagnosis and Treatment

 

While a thorough physical exam should be the first step to rule out other causes for anxiety disorders, in general treatments include talk therapy and medication. These can be used alone or in combination.

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy and symptomatic anti-anxiety medication can both help you to cope with managing anxiety. It can also help to avoid substances that may increase anxiety, such as caffeine.
 

​

Learn More About Anxiety Treatment

 

If you would like to know more about anxiety itself and therapy for anxiety, and how we can help at San Antonio Authentic Counseling, please reach out to us today!