Anxiety
Anxiety Treatment
Some anxiety is a normal part of living. So, how can you tell if you might need treatment for anxiety? You can start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Is my anxiety irrational or out of proportion to reality?
- Does my anxiety make it difficult or impossible for me to do what I want to do?
- Is my anxiety so intense that I feel overwhelmed or out of control?
If you answer ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions, then you are suffering more than you need to. You can learn to minimize or eliminate anxiety problems and regain control of your life. The therapists at our Clinic are effective at treating all types of anxiety. If you want some help you can decide between individual sessions with cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), group therapy sessions with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or our specialized group program for Social Anxiety.
Types of Anxiety
GAD is characterized by a tendency to worry excessively and constantly. The worries could be about anything including school or work performance, health concerns, finances, or how things are going with family or friends. Worrisome thoughts interfere with being able to focus or get anything finished. Worry causes distress and can lead to physical symptoms or sleep problems.
Panic Disorder is characterized by panic attacks or anxiety attacks. When these attacks come you feel intense fear and anxiety. You might also notice sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizzy feelings, or nausea. You might feel that you are losing control, ‘going crazy’ or dying. Panic attacks are temporary but they are so distressing that people will avoid activities in an attempt to prevent triggering another panic attack. The good news is that panic attacks are very treatable.
Phobias are an intense fear of a specific object or situation. Common phobias include fear of needles or blood, heights, spiders, elevators, or flying in airplanes. When someone has a phobia they feel intense anxiety or panic when they are triggered and they often avoid situations because they are afraid of having intense anxiety. Do you avoid getting your teeth fixed, getting medical tests done, or avoid work trips or vacations because of a phobia? If so, you are suffering more than you need to and your life is more limited than it needs to be. Cognitive behaviour therapy, combined with exposure therapy, is a very effective treatment for phobias.
Social Anxiety, also called Social Phobia, happens when we are anxious or extremely uncomfortable in social situations. This can happen when you are at work or school, with friends, or in public. Do you have extreme shyness, difficulty speaking in public, or are you extremely anxious about dating or participating in meetings? Do you avoid social events because of overwhelming anxiety? If so your life is more limited than it needs to be. Our clinic offers very effective treatments for social anxiety. You can choose between individual therapy sessions and our specialized group therapy program for Social Anxiety. It is based on a combination of mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques.
Did you know?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in Canada. Anxiety can take many forms and can be mild, moderate or severe. Some anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety, panic disorder, phobias and social anxiety. Our therapists can help with all of these concerns.
No matter what type of anxiety you are dealing with, we can help. Individual and group therapy offers practical, long-lasting solutions for reducing and dealing with your anxiety. If you call us, we can help you find the right therapist or group program to help you worry less and live the life you want.
