Choosing the right therapist for anxiety can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure about the different types of anxiety, their causes, and the most effective treatments.

Anxiety Disorders vary, but all show symptoms of persistent worry, interference with daily activities, avoidance behavior, physical symptoms, and a chronic nature, which differentiate these disorders from everyday anxiety. Different therapists can treat it, typically those trained in cognitive behavioral therapy.

However, most commonly, psychotherapists with a specialization in anxiety disorders treat the mental symptoms of anxiety disorders, while psychiatrists can provide treatment and prescribe medication.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders are chronic, persistent, and can significantly impact daily life. These disorders go beyond typical anxiety, causing excessive fear or worry that interferes with work, school, and relationships.

Anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger, characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like sweating and high blood pressure. Healthy anxiety acts as a protective mechanism, helping us stay alert and focused in potentially harmful situations. It can become debilitating when excessive, persistent, and disproportionate to the actual threat.

However, the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to manage it in a way that doesn’t dominate one’s life. Effective management allows individuals to function well without the effects of overwhelming anxiety.

For individuals experiencing persistent and excessive worry or fear, understanding anxiety disorders and their causes is the first step toward getting effective support. Identifying the type and cause of anxiety can guide you to a suitable professional and effective support for your condition.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

All anxiety disorders share common characteristics that differentiate them from normal anxiety, including excessive and persistent fear that is inappropriate to the stressor causing it, a chronic nature, and symptom severity that interferes with daily life. Symptoms shared between all anxiety disorders include:

• Persistent and Excessive Fear or Worry: Constant and intense feelings of anxiety that are disproportionate to an actual threat.
• Interference with Daily Activities: Difficulty in managing everyday tasks due to overwhelming anxiety.
• Physical Symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and dizziness.
• Avoidance Behavior: The need to stay away from situations or activities that trigger anxiety.
• Chronicity: Long-lasting and ongoing symptoms that don’t go away; additionally, temporary symptoms may linger after a trigger has been removed or subsided.
• Comorbidity: The presence of other mental health issues, such as ADHD, alongside anxiety.

Common Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders differ in terms of severity, onset, and chronicity. Understanding these differences can help identify the specific type of anxiety disorder and the most effective treatment approach. Common anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Consistent and excessive fear or worry about various aspects of daily life which may or may not have an identifiable source..
• Panic Disorder: Recurring panic attacks, which are sudden and unexpected periods of intense fear and discomfort.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Heightened fear during social situations due to being judged or embarrassed by others, which can lead to avoidance of social interactions and distress in social and performance situations.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after exposure to a traumatic event, such as disaster, assault, or war. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
• Specific Phobias: Fear out of proportion to the threat of specific triggers, such as heights, spiders, and enclosed spaces.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from attachment figures (most commonly parents or caregivers).
• Selective Mutism: A rare childhood anxiety disorder where a child can speak fine in certain situations but cannot speak in specific situations that trigger anxiety.

Causes of Anxiety

The causes of anxiety disorders are multifaceted, involving a complex relationship between genetic and environmental factors. There is a genetic component to anxiety disorders, meaning that individuals with a family history of anxiety are at a higher risk of developing these conditions. This predisposition can indicate the need for early intervention and testing. However, genetics alone do not determine the onset of anxiety disorders.

Environmental factors, particularly exposure to traumatic events, can trigger the development of anxiety disorders. Additionally, long-term exposure to chronic stress, such as ongoing work pressure, relationship issues, or financial problems, can accumulate over time, leading to an anxiety disorder.

Therapists Specializing in Anxiety Disorders

While there are no specific “anxiety therapists,” many mental health professionals specialize in treating anxiety disorders, using a combination of techniques to address the unique needs of each individual.

Psychotherapists, including psychologists and social workers, provide therapy to help individuals understand and manage their anxiety. Psychiatrists can offer both therapy and medication management. The choice between these professionals depends on your unique needs and whether you might benefit from medication alongside treatment.

However, the key factors to consider when choosing a therapist are their experience with anxiety disorders, familiarity with the DSM-5 criteria, and their ability to work effectively with your specific needs.

Treatment Options for Anxiety

A therapist specializing in anxiety disorders will use a variety of techniques to address different aspects of anxiety, its causes, and how to manage it. These techniques are derived from specific modalities that offer a framework for approaching mental health conditions. Within these frameworks, therapists tailor treatment to individuals’ unique needs and conditions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment for anxiety disorders. It focuses on identifying and replacing negative thought patterns with more positive and realistic ones. Through CBT, individuals learn to challenge their anxiety-provoking thoughts and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a subset of CBT that incorporates mindfulness practices. It emphasizes being present in the moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. The benefits of mindfulness include reduced stress, increased self-awareness, and improved emotional regulation in the face of potential triggers.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on exploring self-awareness and understanding how past experiences shape present behaviors. By gaining insight into unresolved conflicts and emotions, individuals can address the root causes of their anxiety and develop healthier patterns of behavior.

Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy

Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) emphasizes finding practical solutions to current problems rather than focusing on past issues. This therapy helps individuals set achievable goals and develop strategies to overcome their anxiety.

Take the Next Step Towards Managing Anxiety With Start My Wellness

Anxiety disorders are complex and can manifest in many ways and due to several causes. Understanding the nature of anxiety disorders and the specialists who treat them is crucial for anyone seeking effective support. There are several modalities that provide strategies to manage anxiety and its symptoms, and therapists will use different techniques tailored to your unique needs and the support you require.

At Start My Wellness, we are equipped to help you navigate the challenges of anxiety disorders. Our team of experienced psychotherapists specializes in treating anxiety disorders while specializing in various modalities to effectively treat the unique needs of each individual.

If you or a loved one is dealing with chronic or excessive anxiety, take the next step and contact Start My Wellness today at (248)-514-4955 to begin your journey to better mental health.

Sources

1. Start My Wellness: Anxiety vs. Stress: What Am I Feeling?
2. Start My Wellness: How do I know if I have ADHD? What if I also have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression?
3. National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
4. Mental Health Foundation: What Causes Anxiety?
5. Start My Wellness: Types of Anxiety Therapies