Anxiety and Treatment with Sarah Wempe Psychiatric Services
Anxiety and Its Treatment
Anxiety disorders share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response and anxiety is anticipation of future threat. Separation anxiety, selective mutism, specific phobias, social anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety are all anxiety disorders that can develop in childhood or adulthood.
Separation anxiety is developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those whom the individual is attached to.
Selective mutism is a failure to speak in situations which it is expected causing a disturbance in educational, occupational, or social functioning.
Specific phobias occur when an individual experiences marked fears about a certain object or situation, these objects or situations are actively avoided due to the out of proportion anxiety experienced.
Social anxiety is a marked fear or anxiety about social situations in which the individual feels exposed to possible scrutiny by others.
Panic attacks are abrupt surges of intense symptoms, peaking within minutes, which can include palpitations, rapid heart beat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest discomfort, nausea/upset stomach, dizziness, temperature sensations, numbness and tingling, feelings of unreality or detachment, fear of losing control, and the fear of dying.
Agoraphobia is present when fear of two of the following situations are present: using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in closed spaces, standing in line, being in a crowd, and being alone outside of one's home.
Generalized anxiety is excessive and difficult to control worrying that occurs more days than not. Symptoms experienced include restlessness, feeling on edge, becoming easily fatigued, irritability, concentration impairment, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
Anxiety disorders are common and affect an estimated 31% of adults. Children and adolescents are also commonly affected. In fact, The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 1 out of 8 children and 1 out of 5 adolescents will experience anxiety disorders.
Treatment for anxiety disorders are highly effective and include medications, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and the development of coping skills.