CBT for Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a normal and universal experience. It is an emotion that has numerous adaptive and functional elements. It can serve to motivate and protect us. Although worry is a normal part of life, excessive worry can be diagnosed as any number of anxiety disorders, which lead to interference in academic, social or professional functioning. Nearly 1 in 10 adults will be diagnosed with a form of anxiety at some point in their life. The good news is that a psychologist trained in CBT can help people gain long term relief of symptoms and improved quality of life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of one’s life, such as school, work, relationships and finances. GAD affects both children and adults. Approximately 3% of the adult population is diagnosed with this condition. Up to 4.5% of children are also diagnosed with this anxiety disorder. Learn more about GAD.

Causes of GAD

The causes of GAD are multifaceted and involve a complicated interaction of genetics, learning history, personality as well as brain chemistry and functioning.

GAD may run in families and the complex interplay of genetics, environment, lifestyle factors and life experiences can contribute to symptom development. Additionally, certain environmental events, including trauma, abuse and chronic illness can play a part in the development of GAD. Early development and learning may also be contributing factors in symptom development. CBT therapists who specialize in treatment of anxiety, conceptualize anxiety as a learned behavior. The interventions that are the first line treatments are based on this model.

Muscle aches, headaches, tension, soreness, and restleness are common physical symptoms. Irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, sleep disruption can also be prevalent in GAD. It can also co-occur with other diagnoses, including major depression, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Adults may be overly concerned about job performance or security, health, finances, and responsibilities. They have trouble controlling their unrealistic and excessive concerns. Children may worry about their performance at school or in sports, and how they are perceived by others.

Treatment of GAD

Treatment of GAD is multimodal, and can include both CBT and medication. Cognitive behavioral treatment is the gold standard of intervention and is a skill-based approach that helps people develop a novel and more effective way of dealing with their thoughts and emotions. Therapists trained in cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders offer the most effective treatment available. Getting help early is essential in reducing the impact of GAD symptoms.

Specific treatment interventions include:

• Psychoeducation about symptoms
• Reducing overpreparation
• Reducing avoidance, reintroducing feared or avoided stimuli
• Reducing discomfort with anxiety and uncertainty.
• Learning a set of anxiety management techniques
• Gradual behavioral practice
• Identifying patterns of negative and maladaptive thinking
• Developing problem solving skills

Psychologists who specialize in treatment for anxiety can help you understand how your thoughts and excessive worry affect your actions. They can help you determine your diagnosis, and the best treatment plan

Other Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder

The essential feature is the experience of recurrent panic attacks, which are characterized by an unpredictable sense of threat/dread where an individual may fear losing control, being trapped, unable to get help or die. Learn more about panic disorder.

Causes of panic disorder

Several factors may play a role in the development of panic disorder. These include genetics, extreme stress, temperament, and certain brain functions. Family history of panic disorder, major stressors or life changes and history of abuse can all be predisposing factors to panic disorder.

Panic attacks can be unpredictable and the fear of having another panic attack can often be intense and disabling. If panic attacks continue, they are likely to occur in specific situations. These experiences can be unsettling and people may avoid events and situations that they begin to associate with panic symptoms. The natural and generally protective “flight or fight” response can be triggered in non-threatening situations and can become maladaptive.

When untreated, panic can be associated with phobias, such as a fear of driving or agoraphobia. Difficulties at work or school and social situations can also manifest and result in significant impairment. Increased dependency on others and reassurance seeking and safety behaviors may be prevalent. Given the functional impairment, depression is a common secondary diagnosis. Frequent medical care may be sought as people can associate panic symptoms with a medical crisis.

Treatment of Panic

Therapists trained in CBT are best equipped to treat panic disorder. CBT can help people learn new ways of thinking and responding to uncomfortable bodily sensations. Specific coping skills can help people manage in the event of a panic attack. Breathing and relaxation technique, as well as adaptive self-talk skills can be very effective and help to develop a sense of control. Exposure based components of therapy enable individuals to learn new ways of responding to feared and avoided situations. Continued practice will allow individuals to become desensitized to the experience of distress, gradually decrease anxiety and adopt different patterns of thought
and behavior.

Phobias and Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is the tendency to be nervous in social situations because of concerns of being judged negatively, appearing to look foolish or doing something embarrassing. It typically involves interactions with others where attention is focused on you or others may notice you in some manner. Learn about causes and treatment for phobias and anxiety using CBT.

Call today for an in-person or teletherapy appointment:

Phone: 201.694.2129
Please leave a message or email:
annabreytman@cbtofnyc.com
online form

Two Office Locations:

New Jersey office location:
194 North Harrison Street
Princeton, NJ 08540

New York City, Manhattan,
Upper West Side:
27 West 86 Street, Suite 1B
NYC, NY 10024

Directions

---

Subscribe to Therapy News from Dr. Breytman

---

[home] [site map] [back to top]

---