Anxiety Disorders

• What is an Anxiety Disorder?
• What are the different types of Anxiety Disorders?
• What causes Anxiety Disorders?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety Disorders

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a physiological response to a stressful or potentially dangerous situation. In its normal state, anxiety is an important human coping mechanism. When anxiety becomes excessive, irrational, or inappropriate, interfering with the normal functioning of a person’s life, it is considered an anxiety disorder.

What are the different types of Anxiety Disorders?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is marked by "free floating anxiety," with persistent and pervasive feelings of fright. The person experiencing this anxiety constantly feels threatened. Symptoms may include muscle tension, twitchiness, an inability to relax, autonomic hyperactivity (increased heart rate and sweating), an upset stomach, and headaches. The person may also experience apprehensive expectations or an anticipation that something terrible is going to occur, but they don’t know what it is. Vigilance of Scanning may also be a factor, in which the person has a heightened attention to everything in their environment, often resulting in increased distractibility and decreased concentration. Basically, the person suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder experiences a chronic state of hypervigilance and tension without any clear source or focus.

Panic Disorder is comprised of very intense panic attacks of short duration (minutes to a few hours). The person feels as if they are going to faint and even die. Symptoms may include chest pains, heart palpitations, hot and cold flashes, feelings of unreality, dizziness, or faintness (though it is extremely rare for anyone experiencing a panic attack to actually faint). Another important feature in a Panic Disorder is that the person cannot identify any specific reason for the panic. It feels as though it comes out of nowhere, making it even more terrifying.

Phobias are persistent and recurrent fears of a particular situation, object or activity. The person experiencing them knows that the fear is irrational, but they cannot help it. There are several types of Phobias:

• Agoraphobia: The most severe of the phobias, it includes a fear of open spaces, public places, and crowds. The person fears and avoids places for which there is no quick escape. It is also common for agoraphobics to fear being alone, so they usually stay at home with a friend or relative present. If they do leave the house, they are usually accompanied by a friend or family member. This phobia is most often associated with women, and usually arises during their late teens or early twenties. Agoraphobia often begins with a panic attack while the person is away from the house, and the person then stays at home to avoid experiencing that situation again.
• Simple Phobias: A fear of one particular object or event, such as a fear of flying, snakes, insects, heights, closed spaces, etc. These are typically not difficult to treat, and can be remedied on an outpatient basis.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) is when a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of interacting with other people in social situations. A person with social phobia constantly fears they will embarrass themselves or make mistakes in front of other people, developing a negative self-consciousness. When placed in a social situation, they become anxious or may have a panic attack. As the illness progresses, persons with social anxiety disorder may have distorted thinking, and may begin to avoid contact with other people, becoming isolated. This may interfere with work, school and personal relationships.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is experienced as obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors. Those with OCD typically are quite rigid in their thinking and behavior, and seek consistency and avoid spontaneity (which is perceived to be dangerous). Uncontrollable thoughts are usually considered by the person to be socially unacceptable, such as bizarre sexual thoughts, or thoughts of hurting someone. The person then engages in compulsive behaviors (such as counting, touching something repetitiously, and other ritualistic behaviors) in an attempt to control the obsessive thoughts. With severe OCD, the engagement of multiple compulsive behaviors can be extremely debilitating and may result in major disruptions in the person’s life.

Post-Traumatic Stess Disorder (PTSD) is often considered an anxiety disorder and is frequently associated with other anxiety disorders. PTSD develops in response to actual or threatened extreme danger or trauma, such as wartime experiences, torture, natural disasters, rape, incest, or even psychotic. Symptoms include nightmares, dissociative states, vivid flashback memories of the traumatic event, loss of control, emotional detachment (psychic numbing), hyper-arousal, and survivor guilt. Typically, symptoms of PTSD consist of recurrent re-experiencing of the trauma, avoidance behaviors or phobias, and chronic physical signs related to hyper-arousal, including anxiety, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, memory problems, and fatigue.

What causes Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are believed to have a genetic basis, as the disorders run in families. Brain chemistry, including abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, also plays an important role in anxiety disorders. Persons with a history of psychological trauma, stress overload, poor self-esteem or personality issues may be predisposed to the development of anxiety disorders. Chronic insomnia, overworking, exposure to high levels of stress, substance abuse, medical problems, and difficulties with family or other interpersonal relationships can all contribute to the onset of an anxiety disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety Disorders

How is an Anxiety Disorder diagnosed?

Anxiety disorders should be diagnosed by a mental health professional. A thorough evaluation is necessary, which may include interviewing not only the Client but his or her family. Oftentimes anxiety disorders are not recognized, or symptoms such as rapid heart rate, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal symptoms are attributed to a medical condition. The diagnosis of an anxiety disorder is based on a specific history of behaviors which meet the criteria for one of the anxiety disorders. A thorough evaluation of current symptoms is performed delineating the specific triggers for anxiety (if possible), the symptoms, and behaviors that have interfered with the Client’s everyday living, including negative effects on family, friends, work or school. The Client’s family history is also explored, as well as any history of drug or alcohol abuse, which may interfere with treatment.

What is the Prognosis for an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety Disorders can be effectively managed with psychological treatment and medication. Research shows that medication, coupled with effective psychotherapy, sleep and stress management, and psycho-education, can significantly improve the wellness of someone with an anxiety disorder. Symptoms of anxiety may be so disabling, the person may have difficulty leaving their house to seek treatment. Persons with anxiety disorders may be predisposed to other conditions, including depression or substance abuse, which can make treatment more difficult. Clients who do receive effective treatment will experience significant improvement in their ability to function normally in their daily lives, including a decreased incidence and severity of their anxiety episodes or panic attacks.

What factors can slow recovery?

Persons with an anxiety disorder may be reluctant or afraid to seek treatment. Finding the proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan tends to be very difficult for this population. Substance abuse (especially alcohol, marijuana or cocaine) is also prevalent among persons with anxiety issues. Concurrent substance abuse dramatically interferes with effective psychological and medical treatment. Persons with anxiety disorders may have problems relating to family or loved ones, thus lacking an effective social support structure that is important to help with their recovery.

How Can Friends and Family Help?

The strength of the social network of a person with an anxiety disorder, especially family and loved ones, is an important predictor of recovery. Family and friends need to educate themselves about anxiety disorders to understand when the person needs help the most. They can be a valuable resource in monitoring medications and being vigilant in watching for symptoms as well as avoidant or isolating behaviors. Family members are likely to help a person with an anxiety disorder enter a treatment facility, providing social and financial resources.

When Should a Client enter a treatment center?

When a person with an anxiety disorder is having serious problems that are negatively impacting their daily school or work life and personal and family relationships, an intensive treatment program is an appropriate option. Oftentimes, once per week psychotherapy or medication is ineffective at managing serious symptoms of anxiety. A treatment facility, like PCH Treatment Center, can be a more effective option than simple outpatient therapy, especially when the person with an anxiety disorder is not fully compliant or invested in that situation.

How does PCH Treatment Center treat Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders present in many different fashions. Some Clients have discrete panic attacks characteristic of panic disorder. Others have generalized anxiety or psychological trauma whose symptoms may be more insidious. Proper diagnosis of a panic disorder, therefore, is extremely important to ensure effective treatment. At PCH Anxiety Treatment Center, our clinical staff have a deep understanding of anxiety and how it can undermine a person’s well-being. Dr. Jeff Ball is the Executive and Clinical Director at PCH Treatment Center. He has over 25 years of experience in treating anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, phobias, and PTSD, as well as other manifestations of anxiety. He has assembled a highly experienced staff with individual therapists at a doctoral level and highly skilled group therapists.

Anxiety disorders are often treated with medications. Antidepressants, Beta-blockers, low dose antipsychotic medications, benzodiazepines, and other anti-anxiety medications are commonly prescribed to our Clients before they arrive. Many times Clients are on significant doses of benzodiazepines (klonopin, valium, ambien), and yet they are not doing well. Dr. Bill Wirshing is the staff Psychiatrist at PCH Anxiety Treatment Center. His expertise in psychopharmacology is extremely valuable in treating Clients with anxiety disorders. Dr. Wirshing evaluates each Client after they arrive, and deciphers their medication regimen so that he can develop a more effective medication strategy if possible. At PCH Anxiety Treatment Center we believe in using the minimal amount of medication, and Dr. Wirshing’s practice complements this philosophy.

In addition to medication management, PCH Anxiety Treatment Center offers doctoral level psychotherapy and multiple beneficial group therapies for Clients with anxiety disorders. DBT, process group, anger management, sleep hygiene, and others are important to help Clients reach a deeper level of understanding of their anxiety issues. In addition to therapy sessions, PCH Anxiety Treatment Center employs Neurofeedback, utilizing the Brainpaint system. This modality has proven effective and enjoyable for Clients with anxiety, many of whom find it to be calming and reorienting. Holistic therapies round out our treatment system, with yoga, art therapy, mindfulness meditation, massage, and acupuncture all available.

PCH Anxiety Treatment Center offer an Intensive Program, featuring up to five individual therapy sessions per week and a complement of groups, as mentioned. We also feature a Day Treatment Program with individual and group therapies and an Evening Treatment Program for Clients who have work, school or family obligations during the day. Additionally, the PCH Family Program is important for Clients who want to integrate their families into their treatment schedule. Psycho-education of family members is a key component to a Client’s long term success, and we have had great success treating Clients with anxiety disorders in conjunction with their family members or loved ones.

Anxiety Disorders consist of phobias, social anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Often, when a person with an anxiety disorder seeks help, they are not treated in the most effective manner. Many practitioners will put a person with an anxiety disorder on benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax or Ambien. These drugs actually worsen anxiety, once they wear off. They are also highly addictive. One of the most important treatment modalities for anxiety is psychotherapy. There are several types of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy, as employed at PCH Treatment Center, attempts to elicit the underlying causes of anxiety. PCH anxiety treatment center Los Angeles offers individual psychotherapy and multiple group therapies which fill the day to promote healing and recovery.

Behavioral therapy focuses on changing specific behaviors and using mental strategies such as relaxation to minimize the anxiety or panic. Exposure therapy is used, where a person is gradually exposed to a triggering stimulus under the supervision of a therapist, who helps them cope with the onset of their anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral therapy helps the person react in a positive productive manner to situations that trigger attacks or anxiety, focusing on helping them change their thought patterns and behaviors. Non-addictive anti-anxiety medications can be an adjunct, as well. An anxiety treatment clinic will offer psychotherapy, as well other types of therapy that have been proven effective. Holistic activities, such as deep breathing, exercise, meditation, and yoga can significantly lower anxiety levels. Herbal medicines have shown some efficacy as well. Psychotherapy is important, to elucidate underlying causes of the anxiety and to help a person develop coping skills. An anxiety treatment facility can also offer group therapies to assist in healing. Process groups can help people with anxiety work through their anxiety. Neurofeedback can help a person with anxiety modulate themselves.

In Los Angeles, PCH Treatment Center has expertise in working with Clients suffering from anxiety. PCH anxiety clinic Los Angeles utilizes state of the art treatment strategies to deal with OCD, PTSD, phobias, and panic. The advantage of an intensive treatment program is that persons with anxiety are immersed in a healing milieu. PCH Anxiety Treatment Center has interwoven holistic healing to supplement the psychotherapy. Clients learn yoga and mindfulness meditation techniques that build a foundation for the rest of their lives. The most effective anxiety treatment Los Angeles is PCH Treatment Center, located in the Mar Vista area.