The treatment for anxiety disorders can be broadly classified under non-pharmacological and pharmacological. Non-pharmacological Treatments for Anxiety Disorders Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy. CBT involves meeting with a mental health therapist to make the patient aware of any irrational, negative or inaccurate thought processes they may have developed. This awareness helps patients view situations in a clearer way and respond to them more effectively. This is how CBT creates effective anti-anxiety mechanisms for patients. Unlike other forms of psychotherapy, CBT is very structured and involves a limited number of sessions so it can be completed quickly. During the sessions, the patient discusses their feelings and thoughts related to their disorder. If patients are shy or unable to share their feelings and experiences, the therapist can help the patient open up. The therapist often has the patient perform activities outside of the sessions to supplement skills learned during the session. CBT involves four steps, the first is to identify the situation causing anxiety and set a goal for therapy. The treatment then shifts to making the patient aware of their patterns of thought during anxiety-provoking situations including interpretations of events. What patients tell themselves about the situation is crucial.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is the recurrence of intrusive thoughts and impulses with a compulsion to complete repetitive behaviors. What are the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder? Doubt and double-checking Fear of contamination Excessive cleaning A need to have objects in order or placed symmetrically Unacceptable aggressive, sexual or religious intrusive thoughts Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (the need to have everything perfect and in order) may also accompany the disease Obsessive thoughts Fear of being dirty Concern with body odor or body functioning Fear of thinking of something bad or doing something embarrassing Obsession with counting Thinking of specific words or sounds repetitively Need of constant approval Fear that something bad will happen to oneself or others Compulsive actions Frequently bathing or brushing teeth Constantly cleaning and organizing Rechecking objects Repetitive actions Hoarding Asking a question over and over again Taking extreme measures to avoid harm What causes obsessive compulsive disorder? The cause of OCD is still not completely understood. Like with many other anxiety disorders, it is thought to be related to a combination of genetic, environmental and biological factors, including altered brain activity (such as abnormal circuitry function in specific regions of the brain). Streptococcal infections like strep throat and scarlet fever have also been known to induce OCD-like symptoms or to worsen them in children.

Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD develops after experiencing a traumatic life event such as a near death experience, sexual/physical assault, or even witnessing a violent act. What are the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder? PTSD is characterized by the development of four symptoms following about a month after the traumatic event:        Reliving the event or experiencing related intrusive thoughts        Avoiding people, places, and objects that remind the individual of the trauma        An increase in negative feelings, thoughts, and moods associated with the event        Chronic hyper-arousal Other symptoms may include:        Nightmares        Flashbacks        Feeling unable to connect with loved ones        Depression        Feelings of guilt for the traumatic event        Irritability        Angry outbursts        Hypervigilance        Headaches        Disrupted sleep What causes posttraumatic stress disorder? While most people experience traumatic events in their lifetime, only 8% of men and 20% of women may develop PTSD. It is not understood why some people experience PTSD and not others. Genetic factors are thought to contribute as well as environmental and biological factors. Some believe that the hippocampus, which is responsible for making memories and dealing with stress, may be different in people with PTSD. Who is more likely to be affected?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder. Approximately, 3% of adults in the United States have the disorder. GAD involves at least 6 months of extreme anxiety, and worry about everyday events. What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder? These individuals may have difficulty controlling their worry. Their anxiety triggers at least 3 of the following:        a feeling of being on edge or restless        becoming tired easily        difficulty concentrating        irritable        muscle tension        difficulty sleeping. GAD is also associated with physical symptoms such as muscle tension, insomnia, and fatigue. Who is typically affected? GAD is twice as likely to occur in women as in men. It also often develops in patients with psychiatric disorders or obesity, a history of substance abuse or trauma, or those that are related to individuals with anxiety. What other conditions commonly occur with generalized anxiety disorder? GAD typically occurs along with other anxiety disorders, particularly panic and depressive disorders. Other possible anxiety disorders that may occur with GAD include social phobia , panic disorder , obsessive-compulsive disorder , acute stress disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Medical conditions are also common with GAD such as cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

Agoraphobia is anxiety and/or fear brought about by actual or anticipation of being in two of 5 types of public places. These places include public transportation, being in an open space, being in a closed space, being in line or a crowd, or being outside of the home alone. The fear arises from concern about displaying panic, or other distressing symptoms in public and being unable to exit the situation or receive assistance. What are the symptoms of agoraphobia? The anxiety and/or fear experienced with the situation are abnormally high for the actual risk of danger. This often leads those with agoraphobia to not leave their home alone or to avoid these situations completely. Agoraphobia can significantly impact daily living by limiting social interactions, attendance at work or limiting acceptable workspaces and impacting running errands. What causes agoraphobia? There are several factors that may contribute to the development of agoraphobia including comorbidity, genetics and stressful experiences. Risk factors include having a panic disorder or other phobias, responding to panic attacks with avoidance and extreme fear, stressful experiences, being especially nervous, and being related to someone with the condition. When does agoraphobia develop? Agoraphobia typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood (the mid-20s), and can, unfortunately, become more severe over time.