Clinical Psychology & Anxiety

Anxiety can be understood as a fearful expectation of what might happen. Even though it has a largely negative connotation, anxiety can help someone plan ahead and avoid real danger. Anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with a person's daily functioning in some way--by feeling it to an excessive intensity, too often or when there is no real danger. In these instances, a person may suffer from an anxiety disorder and may benefit from professional help.

Features

• According to the American Psychiatric Association, "Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans." In addition to the overwhelming feeling of anxiety, you might experience physical symptoms like stomach discomfort, sweating, pounding or racing heartbeat, tight muscles or startle response. Anxiety also affects thinking; a person may experience obsessive thoughts, phobias, worrying about dying or "going crazy" or intrusive thoughts, such as painful memories or recurring nightmares.

Misconceptions

• The authors of "Worry-Free Living" note that anxiety is the most commonly misunderstood mental health issue, and there are a number of myths that surround anxiety disorders. Common misconceptions include the idea that anxiety is genetic, a necessary result of aging, that it will go away by itself over time or that it is a sign of weak character. These myths perpetuate unfair stigmas and create obstacles for people who are looking for real help.

Types

• A struggle with anxiety might warrant one or more diagnoses. One type of anxiety disorder is panic disorder, in which an individual will experience panic attacks characterized by an overwhelming combination of severe symptoms, both physical and psychological. Phobias, which are specific fears, are also considered a type of anxiety disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder also fit into this diagnostic category.

Theories

• Two psychological theories that factor heavily in the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders are behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. Both of these approaches focus on a person's problems in the present but understand the nature of the problem in slightly different ways. Behavior therapy is largely experiential. A psychologist encourages the client to learn behaviors that are more adaptable. The cognitive approach encourages the client to replace problematic false beliefs with true and rational beliefs.

Solutions

• Common treatments from a behavioral approach include experiential methods such as relaxation training, desensitization, gradual exposure to what the person fears, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and assertion training. Cognitive approaches, such as Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) involve confronting and disputing irrational or absolutists beliefs, homework that enables a person to track irrational thoughts and discover rational alternatives, role playing and imagery. In addition to these techniques, a psychiatrist might prescribe medication to aid in symptom relief.