Most of us have felt anxious at some point in our lives and it can be tempting to think of anxiety as something common, short-lived and universal. But for some, the experience is anything but. In fact, it is much more intense, ongoing and difficult to manage. A full anxiety disorder can develop and it can actually become quite disruptive.

Treatment for Anxiety

Anxiety can be treated successfully and a number of effective treatments are available. The best place to start is to book an appointment with a medical professional who specializes in anxiety disorders. They are the ones who can give a proper diagnosis and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Our Anxiety Treatment and Rehabilitation Services

At True Life Wellness, psychologist Dr. Saadia Akram-Pall offers a number of treatment and rehabilitation services that can be beneficial. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), individual psychotherapy, stress management and coping techniques, life skills and self-esteem issues, as well as trauma and post-traumatic issues.

CBT has proven especially effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. It works by teaching you how to challenge and reframe your thinking. It also gives you practical strategies to help you take action and make positive changes. CBT is often used in combination with drug therapy which works very successfully for most.

About Anxiety and How It Affects Canadians

According to Health Canada, an estimated 1 in 10 Canadians is affected by anxiety disorders. They are the most common of all mental health problems. Anyone at any age can develop it; adults, youth and children can all be affected.

Anxiety itself is a very normal reaction for our body to experience. It’s a response to perceived danger or an important event. Some consider it an internal warning system, it alerts us of danger and helps us get ready to respond.

However, there is a very real difference between feeling anxious in response to a real event versus having an anxiety disorder which produces disproportionate stress or fear. The effects of an anxiety disorder can be far reaching and challenging to live with. It can interfere with personal and professional relationships, restrict your lifestyle and even undermine your self confidence. Left untreated it can take a great toll, but it doesn’t have to.

Anxiety is really just an umbrella term for a number of different types of disorders and conditions. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life: thoughts, emotions, behaviours and even your physical health.

The exact causes of anxiety are hard to pinpoint. It is thought to result from a number of biological factors, brain functions and personal circumstances, combined with social and economic factors. Anxiety is not a sign of mental weakness or instability. There is no reason to feel any stigma or embarrassment at all.

Types of Anxiety

Contrary to what some might believe, there are more anxiety disorders than simply ‘anxiety’. To that end, people can experience different types of anxiety to varying degrees. Common anxiety disorders include the following:

• Agoraphobia
• body-focused repetitive behaviours
• generalized anxiety disorder
• health anxiety
• hoarding disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• panic disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• separation anxiety
• social anxiety disorder
• specific phobia

People often have overlapping symptoms of the above and suffer from more than one type. In addition, there can be aspects of anxiety that are specific to the individual. Those with anxiety disorders often suffer from depression, eating disorders or substance abuse as well. This makes it all the more important to seek professional help.

When to Seek Professional Help

Generally speaking, it is best to seek professional help as early as possible, especially if your mental health is negatively impacting any aspect of your life. There are so many effective strategies you can apply. The sooner you learn them, the sooner you can put them into practice and reap the benefits.

Another factor to consider is wait times. You may not always be able to begin treatment immediately, so get the process underway now by finding a trusted, trained professional and booking an appointment for an initial consultation.

Sadly, many people suffer for 10 years or more before getting the right treatment. Nothing is more important than your own wellbeing, so reach out and take advantage of the help that is available.

Reach Out To Us Today

Book an appointment with registered psychologist Dr. Saadia Akram-Pall of True Life Wellness and Physiotherapy. Dr. Akram-Pall specializes in anxiety, depression and coping skills and is currently accepting new clients. Contact us today.