Anxiety & Panic Disorder Treatment

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful circumstances or thoughts, such as feeling anxious about a test or feeling anxious about a problem at work.

However, anxiety levels can become excessively high or last much longer than would be expected, causing significant difficulties in daily life and functioning.

When anxiety problems rise to this level, it is likely that the one has developed an Anxiety or Panic Disorder. Anxiety and Panic Disorders are common, affecting approximately 40 million adults per year.

Importantly, Anxiety and Panic Disorders are treatable and often respond very well to psychological counseling, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a specialized form of psychotherapy and requires that a therapist have specific training in employing this type of treatment. At CPA, many of our psychologists have extensive training in the treatment of anxiety and stress disorders and specialize in treating anxiety with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

While the term Anxiety Disorder is often used, it actually refers to a family of anxiety problems including the following:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as hand-washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away.

Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks)

Panic Disorder, or sometimes referred to as Panic Attacks, is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. Some people fear they are dying or having a heart attack during episodes of panic, which can add to their distress.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

Social Phobia (or social anxiety disorder)

Social Phobia is characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation such as a fear of speaking in front of others or can be so broad as to include any situation when other people are around.

More Information

To learn more about anxiety from the National Institute of Mental Health, click here to download a free brochure: NIMH – Anxiety

If you are one of the 40 million people per year who suffer from anxiety or panic disorders, don’t wait another day to get help. We have psychologists offering CBT Therapy for anxiety near Newton, Watertown, Wellesley, Needham, Natick, Framingham and other metrowest locations, as well as Boston. To learn more, complete our quick and easy Online Intake Form or call us at (617) 259-1895 today.