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Help for Anxiety - John Eckenwiler
Anxiety takes on many shapes and forms. The most common type of anxiety is when we generalize a fear or worry of something specific to the rest of life. Then the anxiety seems to "take on a life of its own" and seemingly has no logic to many of the symptoms. Once the symptoms are traced back to their origins, appropriate strategies can be put into place. This type can be rooted in low self-esteem, lack of confidence, or maybe a series of negative life events. Medication is usually not indicated in these cases.
Some anxiety problems are strictly situational, due to outside stress or a difficult event in your life. Usually stress management strategies, problem-solving and attitude changes are successful with this type, and again medication is not recommended.
Some anxieties take on an obsessive or phobic nature, such as social anxiety or being a clean freak. Sometimes these turn into full-blown obsessive-compulsive disorders or phobias. Some phobias are very entrenched and require specialized intervention, while the milder forms can be resolved using behavioral and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
There are anxieties that are largely due to a medical condition - either in reaction to a medical problem or because of it. This type of anxiety can become complex and usually requires close collaboration with your medical doctor. Stress management, cognitive-behavioral strategies and family therapy have all proven useful in helping with this type of anxiety.
We've all heard of postraumatic stress, caused by extreme events like a car accident or being in a combat zone. Extreme cases require a therapist with special training in posttraumatic stress disorders. Less severe cases can be very responsive to conventional psychotherapy with someone familiar with basic treatment protocol.
And of course there is the panic attack, and extremely uncomfortable set of symptoms that become debilitating. Medication is usually recommended if you are having regular panic attacks. A thorough systemic assessment of all the factors that feed into these is done, and stress management approaches are highly emphasized. Fear of the panic attack itself is usually a big problem, and this is addressed early on.
Yet another type of anxiety is part of a larger mood problem, and can be mixed with other mood difficulties such as depression. A good assessment here is especially critical, including an examination of family history of mood problems, history of difficult life events, history of the moods themselves and a history of efforts to stabilize the moods. More severe cases are recommended for medication consultation and a structured cognitive-behavioral strategy of intervention is put in place.
Any of the above various forms of anxiety may or may not be suitable candidates for medication. Unless your symptoms are acute and require immediate relief, my approach is to start with the most obvious and simplest strategies and rule out ideas that do not include medication. Then if none of these approaches works, either a more specialized approach is needed or medication is advised. If your symptoms are urgent, I can assist you with a referral to someone who can provide a medication evaluation.
Common Myths about Anxiety Disorders
Myth: The way to overcome fear is to force yourself to do the things you fear most.
Only true if your fear is mild. Fear that is severe is the opposite of this. If you force yourself to do something you are terrified of, you will only make things worse. A systematic approach of gradual exposure has proven to be much more successful. This often starts with mental rehearsal strategies.
Myth: Anxiety is just a mental problem, and is not a real physical condition.
ANY kind of stress has physical implications. Anxiety is no different. Neurochemical changes occur with the persistence of anxiety. This doesn't mean you will always need medication -- but you might if symptoms go on long enough or are severe enough.
Myth: Thinking positively will eliminate all anxiety.
Sometimes this might work, but oftentimes it won't because we have so much going on in our heads subconsciously. Psychotherapy strategies that also impact these subconscious layers are much more powerful.
Myth: Some people think medication is the way to go. Others think counseling is the way to go. I have to pick who's "side I'm on".
Why pick a side? There are situations any of us could find ourself in that might be best suited for counseling only, medication only, or a combination of both. Keep an open mind and make sure you find a therapist (and a medical doctor) who does the same.
Myth: There's a single cause for my anxiety, and once I figure that out I can get rid of it.
That would be nice, but unfortunately finding yourself struggling with anxiety is the sum of many parts working together. Many factors are likely contributing, including genetics, personality, brain abnormalities, neuro-chemical imbalance, childhood experience, diet, trauma, socio-economic status, family issues, occupational stress and negative thinking patterns.
A marriage and family therapist is trained to consider all these influences to see how they evolve into patterns of repeated behavior.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety
(there is not room to list other types here)Excessive anxiety or worry about a number of events or activities lasting at least 6 months, occurring more days than not:
- Trouble controlling the worry
- Restlessness or on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Trouble concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritibility
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance
- Focus of worry is not about a more specific type of anxiety (as described above)
- The anxiety or worry interferes with normal daily functioning
- Anxiety is not linked to the effects of a substance taken
As you can see above, anxiety can be highly complex and take on many different faces. If you have any of these symptoms and aren't sure, don't self-diagnose. It's popular in our culture nowadays to be armchair psychologists and diagnose those around us. There is a big difference between a mood problem and a mood disorder! Seek a professional opinion.
Counseling Solutions For Individuals, Couples & Families
John Eckenwiler, LMFT- Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor LMFC
Approved
Supervisor, AAMFT
9220 Teddy Lane, #1100 ~ Lone Tree, CO 80124
12900 Stroh Ranch Place #220 ~ Parker, CO 80134
303-267-2282
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John Eckenwiler is a Member of the Colorado Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. His two offices are centrally located in South Metro Denver Colorado to meet the needs of clients in Aurora, Centennial, Lone Tree, Englewood, Denver, Parker, Franktown, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Englewood, Elizabeth, Monument, Larkspur & Greenwood Village Colorado.
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