Presenting problems

• Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive, Panic, Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress
• Depression
• Adjustment Difficulties
• Self-Esteem
• Pain Management
• Stress Management
• Post motor vehicle accident adjustments
• Work Difficulties

Anxiety disorders

It's normal to worry and feel tense or scared when under pressure or facing a stressful situation. Anxiety is the body's natural response to danger, an automatic alarm that goes off when we feel threatened.

Although it may be unpleasant, anxiety isn't always a bad thing. In fact, anxiety can help us stay alert and focused, spur us to action, and motivate us to solve problems. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with your relationships and activities-that's when you've crossed the line from normal anxiety into the territory of anxiety disorders.

In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling tense and jumpy
• Anticipating the worst
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Watching for signs of danger
• Feeling like your mind's gone blank

Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:

• Pounding heart
• Sweating
• Stomach upset or dizziness
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Tremors and twitches
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Types of anxiety disorders

There are six major types of anxiety disorders, each with their own distinct symptom profile: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder

If constant worries and fears distract you from your day-to-day activities or you're troubled by a persistent feeling that something bad is going to happen, you may be suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.

Panic disorder

Panic Disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as fear of experiencing another episode. Panic disorder may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape or help would be difficult in the event of a panic attack. If you have agoraphobia, you are likely to avoid public places such as shopping malls or confined spaces such as an airplane.

Panic Attacks are episodes of intense panic or fear. Panic attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there's an obvious trigger— getting stuck in an elevator, for example, or thinking about the big speech you're giving in a few hours—but in other cases, the attacks come out of the blue.

Panic attacks usually peak within ten minutes, and they rarely last more than a half hour. But during that short time, the terror can be so severe that you feel as if you're about to die or totally lose control. The physical symptoms are themselves so frightening that many people believe they're having a heart attack. After a panic attack is over, you may be worried about having another one, particularly in a public place where help isn't available or you can't easily escape.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Surge of overwhelming panic
• Feeling of losing control or going crazy
• Heart palpitations or chest pain
• Feeling like you're going to pass out
• Trouble breathing or choking sensation
• Hyperventilation
• Hot flashes or chills
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• Feeling detached or unreal

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that can occur in the aftermath of a traumatic or life-threatening event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks or nightmares about what happened, hypervigilance, startling easily, withdrawing from others, and avoiding situations that remind you of the event.

Social anxiety disorder

If you have a debilitating fear of being seen negatively by others and humiliated in public, you may have social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness. In severe cases, social situations are avoided altogether.

Self-help for anxiety and anxiety disorders>

Not everyone who worries a lot has an anxiety disorder. You may be anxious because of an overly demanding schedule, lack of exercise or sleep, pressure at home or work, or even from too much coffee. The bottom line is that if your lifestyle is unhealthy and stressful, you're likely to feel anxious-whether or not you have an anxiety disorder. So if you feel like you worry too much, take some time to evaluate how well you're caring for yourself.

Do you make time each day for relaxation and fun?
Are you getting the emotional support you need?
Are you taking care of your body?
Are you overloaded with responsibilities?
Do you ask for help when you need it?

Anxiety treatment options can be behavioural therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, exposure, and medication.