Search Results for: blog diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder

How to Survive the Holidays with Social Anxiety

The holidays are hectic. While some people do enjoy being extra busy, and more social than typical, those kinds of experiences are difficult for those who have social anxiety. One cannot simply opt-out of all social gatherings. Here are some tips to help people who have social anxiety survive the holidays. WebMD says that social anxiety disorder is also called social phobia. They describe it as “an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations.” A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, be … Continue reading →

Anxiety and Therapy for Kids

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As my full time job requires I have a good understanding of community standards I try and keep up with what community centers are offering around the US. What centers accept Medicare, have sliding fee schedules, or provide outreach are things I keep an eye out for. These centers often provide great services to all via their websites, so they are good resources. In one of my recent quests I came across a center in Montclair, NJ. I don’t know anything about the center itself, but they had a great article in the “Montclair Patch” about children/teens with anxiety. My … Continue reading →

Anxiety: When Meds are OK

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My 18 year old daughter just graduated from high school. As we sat and discussed all of the plans for the weekend something jumped out at me: the anxiety she had been dealing with through her teen years was not getting better, and the impact on her day-to-day functioning was going to get worse. I have been noticing symptoms of anxiety in her for years, and spoke openly with her about options. However, as someone who spent years working with adolescents with serious emotional problems, I was leery to start her on medications before she became an adult. I wondered … Continue reading →

Where’s “IT” at? Keeping your Child’s Anxiety Out of the Bag and on the Chain.

If you’ve ever had to enter into hand-to-hand combat with the witch under the bed or the bearded baddie at the window, then you already know that children’s anxiety can be disturbingly real to them. Just like adults, children can also suffer from free-floating and generalized anxiety or panic attacks. One in nine children are affected to the extent that it constipates their daily functioning and our nightly sleep. The witch or monster doesn’t just appear every now and then as part of normal chronological or problem solving development, they rarely leave and they will taunt the child at any … Continue reading →

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

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Most of us worry to some extent, but some of us worry so much that it interferes with our daily lives. Some degree of worry can propel us to make changes in our lives, but excessive worry is unproductive and uncomfortable. It robs us of the enjoyment of life. So what exactly is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Julie turned up at the clinic complaining of disabling anxiety and difficulty controlling her life. She claimed she never felt contented or at peace, but continually worried about every aspect of her life. As one difficulty was overcome, she would replace it with excessive … Continue reading →

Worry Time

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My line of work keeps me tuned in to anxiety. So does my home life. So when I come across information about anxiety I like to share. Let’s face it – even without a “formal” diagnosis of anxiety most of us experience it on some level at regular intervals. It only becomes a diagnosable condition when it negatively impacts functioning. Keeping it from becoming something that impacts your daily living can be work though. So today I saw an article about managing anxiety that jumped out at me. The article was about planning “worry time”. The basic concept is to … Continue reading →

PMDD Risk Is Hereditary

If you are a woman, you probably know when it is “that time of the month” just by how you feel. Grouchy? Check. Irritable? Check. Eating every piece of chocolate that you see? Check. Unfortunately for some women, the monthly menstrual cycle brings more than just the usual cast of hormonal characters. Women that suffer from Premenstrual Dysphorhic Disorder, or PMDD as it is commonly called, experience major depression and/or anxiety and severe irritability each month as part of their cycle. The depression and anxiety are so severe that they interfere with the women’s day-to-day activities and relationships, and often … Continue reading →

Can Military Family Members Suffer From PTSD

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I am one of those people that can handle any crisis that comes along. I am the person calling 911 while delegating everyone around me to ensure that the situation is under control. I do this without thinking and I do it well but once the crisis is over I am the first person to crumble. My husband’s deployment was no different. I helped start a non-profit group that assisted the troops and their families, I was involved in every possible fundraiser out there, I was the person that others called when they were scared; all the while holding it … Continue reading →