top of page

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of all mental health diagnoses. Occasional anxiety is typical especially when it is tied to an upcoming stressful event. But anxiety is recognized as a “disorder” when it begins to take over an individual’s life and disrupts daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships beyond temporary worrying or fearfulness. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and various phobia-related disorders.

How We Treat Anxiety Disorders

At Clarity Behavioral Health Group, we use a combination of tailored medication management and psychotherapy to target each individual’s specific presenting symptoms. We will create a customized treatment plan that considers each individual’s circumstances to effectively tailor medication interventions.

the clarity approach.png

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

124554052_m_edited_edited.jpg
Common Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

​

  • A feeling of restlessness and constantly being on-edge

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Easily fatigued

  • Excessive sweating

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness; headaches

  • Irritability

  • Having muscle tension

  • Racing thoughts; inability to control feelings of worry

  • Sleep difficulties – problems falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep

​

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can best be described as a general sense of worry that does not subside, beyond worries that we have on a day-to-day basis. Worrying that lasts for months on end – typically six months or longer is typical of GAD. Fears and concerns can range from one’s family, health, work, and everyday life circumstances. Generalized anxiety can often manifest as both physical and emotional symptoms.

Social Anxiety Disorder

social-disorder_edited_edited.jpg
Common Symptoms

 

  • Avoid places where there are other people

  • Sweating, trembling

  • Inflexible body posture

  • Speaking with a very quiet voice

  • Unable to make eye contact

  • Difficulty being around people one doesn’t know

  • Inability to interact with people in social situations

  • Feeling of self-consciousness or concern about being judged

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Feel their “mind going blank”

  • Feel sick to their stomach

​

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorder is an intense fear of social interactions complicated by fears of judgment and self-consciousness that often leads to social isolation. It can persist to  the point of interfering with someone’s day-to-day interactions in social settings.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

124554052_m_edited_edited.jpg
Common Symptoms

​

OCD symptoms may include just obsessions or compulsions, or both.

​

  • Obsessions cause anxiety manifesting as thoughts, urges, or mental images which may involve:

    • Germs or fears of contamination

    • Unwanted thoughts; aggressive thoughts

    • A need to have things symmetrical or in a perfect order

  • Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought. Examples include:

    • Excessive cleaning the house or one’s surroundings

    • Handwashing

    • Repeated checking (is the door locked? is the oven on?)

    • Extreme concerns over orderliness or precise order or arrangement

    • Compulsive counting

​

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) generally experiences intrusive thoughts or behaviors. OCD is a common, chronic, and long-lasting mental health concern. Individuals with OCD have uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels compelled to repeat. Intrusive thoughts can be around cleanliness or orderliness, for example, and can manifest into a wide range of psychological distress that impacts daily functioning, even if they recognize that those thoughts or behaviors are excessive.

Specific Phobias

What are Specific Phobia Disorders?

Specific phobia is an intense, unreasonable fear created around specific objects or situations. The fears are irrational yet raise severe anxiety symptoms although the objects or situations pose little or no actual danger. Some individual phobias include fear of specific animals, fear of flying, fear of small spaces (claustrophobia).

phobias_edited_edited_edited.jpg
Common Symptoms of Specific Phobia Disorders

 

  • Irrational behavior and avoidance

  • Panic

  • Difficulty functioning normally

  • Severe anxiety symptoms and/or physical reactions (sweating, rapid heartbeat, tight chest or difficulty breathing)

bottom of page