Everything you need to know about

Anxiety

Anxiety Spectrum Disorder

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion characterized by worry and fear about everyday situations (American Psychological Association). We all experience anxiety - it’s a natural human response to perceived threats. It’s also often referred to as a fight-or-flight response, increasing our heart rate, and redirecting blood flow to our muscles. It is a sign that our nervous system is working how it’s supposed to. However, when we find that our anxiety is more than just occasional stress, it may begin to negatively interfere with our daily lives.

What does Anxiety look like?

Anxiety can look differently from person to person but common symptoms may include physiological changes like muscle tension, headaches, and rapid heartbeat; excessive worrying or obsessions about what can possibly go wrong that can lead to catastrophizing; feeling restless or “on edge” that can make it difficult to focus on anything else; and emotional dysregulation like being irritable, avoidant, or apprehensive. Anxiety is a spectrum and it’s important to know how you present with your anxiety and how it affects you in your daily life.

Effective treatments for Anxiety. 

Inhibitory Learning Approach

A modern way of treating anxiety that has emerged recently is called Inhibitory Learning Approach (ILA). It focuses on modifying the relationship with fear rather than avoiding or suppressing. It does so by doing what the brain does best, its natural capacity for adaptation.

ILA builds upon the principles of classical conditioning but is done in reversed. With repeated exposure towards the triggering event, in a safe and controlled environment, the brain begins to learn the fear consequences doesn’t actually hold true. This gradually desensitizes the original fear association and replacing that with a sense of calm control.

This approach holds significant promise for various anxiety disorders, including phobias, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder. Studies suggest ILA can be particularly effective when combined with other evidence-based therapies, offering a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan for managing anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

For individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a powerful and well-researched treatment approach.

CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This approach allows you to learn about your automatic thought patterns, unhelpful ways of thinking that leads to negatively impacting feelings, and fostering a more realistic and adaptive belief.

CBT empowers individuals to reframe their anxieties and develop a more positive outlook. Additionally, CBT equips patients with practical skills to manage anxious situations effectively. These skills might include relaxation techniques, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring exercises.

Learn more about your Anxiety with a free call with an ADHOC Therapist

Meet our Anxiety experts

  • Andrea Ronell - Therapist

    Hey! Andrea here, your guide through the confusing world of teen & young adult mental health. Truth be told, you are the main character of your story – maybe you’re just a little afraid to shine. I'm here to equip you with practical tools and strategies to navigate those challenges and crush those negative vibes.

  • Jimmy Yang - Therapist

    I'm Jimmy, and I specialize in helping teens like you find real, actionable solutions for your mental health struggles. No matter how small they seem, these steps can make a huge difference. Together, we'll ditch the confusion, figure out what works for YOU, and help you unlock your inner rockstar.

  • Marina Dragovic - Therapist

    Hey there! I'm Marina, and I'm all about helping teens, young adults, and adults from all walks of life navigate their unique journeys. I ditch the whole "labeling" thing and focus on helping you discover your inner bad*ss, the one with the strength, resilience, and power to tackle whatever life throws your way.

ABOUT US

How Does Adhoc Therapy Treat Anxiety

Here at Adhoc Therapy, we put emphasis on the relationship between you and your therapist and allow you to explore and discover your thoughts without judgement or conclusions. When you feel safe and established, we will begin to uncover your triggers, thoughts, and response so that we can begin to create an individualized approach towards healthy and adaptive change. What we provide is treatment that is rooted in evidenced-based data on what is proven to work, a human-driven approach to empower the journey that you have been on so far, and is education-oriented to allow you to thrive to your fullest potential. 

  • Anxiety is a spectrum in a sense that it has different intensities and responses to the trigger. This can range from feeling nervous about an upcoming work presentation to feeling like the something terrible will happen if you walk the wrong way.

  • While both of these response have certain similarities, you can think of fear as a reaction to a present threat and anxiety as a reaction to a perceived threat.

  • There are pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs, antihistamines, and GABAergic medication that can potentially be useful for anxiety disorders. Of course, consulting with your doctor is always necessary before beginning medications.

  • This is a valid question and the answer lies within the dosage. Incorrect dosages can have a sedating effect like drowsiness but adjusting medications to fit your needs can rid of this problem.

FAQS

  • Undoubtedly no! Anxiety is a normal response to keep us safe and affects almost everyone. In fact, it takes strength to manage anxiety and often builds resilience when managed in a healthy manner.

  • For sure! Repeated exposure to negative news, cyberbullying, and things like unrealistic standards can promote comparison traps and makes us feal more anxious.

  • This is a common experience for people with severe anxiety, often because we feel like we will get judged by others because of how irrational it is. This is why it’s important to determine who we feel safe with and seeking therapy who can create that sense of safety with you.

  • Be present, be non-judgmental, and be kind. These three qualities alone can help foster a sense of safety and be grounding to anyone. Of course, depending on the severity of someone’s anxiety, it’s always best to reach out to a professional.

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