Stress and Anxiety Disorders Explained
Stress and Anxiety disorders have several common symptoms which affect your body, thoughts or feelings and behavior. Therapy and the right therapist can help you decide what your symptoms mean and counseling can help you find you the relief you are looking for.
Stress and Anxiety have several common symptoms. Some examples of physical effects are Headache, chest pain, Pounding heart, shortness of breath, muscle aches, back pain, constipation, and diarrhea to name a few.
Several effects upon your thoughts and feelings are restlessness, worrying, sadness, job dissatisfaction, confusion, forgetfulness, guilt and seeing only the negative.
Anxiety and stress can also affect your behaviors. Some effects are over or under eating, relationship conflicts, social withdrawal, or the over use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
If these or other similar symptoms are affecting your life, counseling can help relieve your symptoms. Therapists are trained to help. Please call (585)248-9880.
What is Major Depression?
Depression is an illness that affects the way you think and act as well as the way you feel. Being overwhelmed by the problems in your life and fixating on these problems, can cause changes in the chemistry of your nervous system, which can interfere with your daily activities and relationships at home and at work.
How do I know if I am suffering from major depression?
You should talk to your physician if you've had problems sleeping, if your eating habits have changed, or if you are losing interest in things you've always enjoyed in the past. You may have a difficult time concentrating or remembering things. You may be tired more often and you may have thoughts of death or suicide. Frequent outbursts of anger or sadness are also symptoms of depression.
How does my physician make a diagnosis of depression?
The best way to find if you are suffering from depression is to discuss your symptoms with your physician or a therapist. He or she will ask you certain questions about how you've been feeling, or ask you to complete a questionnaire that can help in making an accurate diagnosis.
What causes Major Depression?
Changes like menopause or childbirth, changes in medication, major surgery or illness, or an event such as the loss of a loved one can trigger depression. Sometimes depression seems to appear suddenly, with no apparent reason. Many depressed people can recall a family member who has been affected by the illness. People who are depressed may abuse alcohol or drugs to avoid the feelings of depression but alcohol and drug abuse make the depression worse.
What is the treatment for Major Depression?
The most common ways to treat depression are with counseling, medication, or a combination of both. Sometimes holistic approaches are used. The choice of treatment depends on your symptoms, your medical history, and what you think will work best for you. Your physician or therapist can help you decide which treatment option is the best for you.
Please remember: you should never stop taking medications without talking to your physician. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your physician about the best medication for you to take during your pregnancy.
What is Anxiety?
The phrase Anxiety Disorder describes a broad category of physiological symptoms and conditions and is listed under such headings as, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia, Post traumatic Stress Disorder, Agoraphobia and many others. Anxiety is described as, "A persistent and continuous worry lasting longer than six months". (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
What is a Panic Attack?
The most commonly known and probably most frequently experienced Anxiety Disorder is the Panic Attack. Panic Attacks may be a direct result of generalized anxiety disorder or they may appear suddenly, and for no apparent reason, causing great distress and concern. Listed below are some of the physiological symptoms of a Panic Attack. It is important to know that Panic Attacks are commonly helped through a course of treatments known as "Systematic Desensitization." Panic Attacks can be progressive, so it's important to treat a panic attack as soon as possible. To extinguish the most severe symptoms, I use another brief therapy method known as Redecision Therapy. This model is unique and especially effective in therapy where other methods fail or take too long to achieve the desired results. If you think you may have or have had a Panic Attack, look at the following criteria. A minimum of four symptoms is necessary to meet the criteria. If you have had one or more panic attacks, or you do not believe your symptoms have been alleviated, please call me. Ask about Redicision Therapy and how you can change your life.
Symptoms of a Panic Attack:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortening of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal issues
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
- Derealization -- feelings of unreality, or Depersonalization -- being detached from oneself
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Paresthesias -- numbness or tingling sensations
- Fear of dying
- Chills or Hot Flushes
Therapist Donna J. Gould, (585) 248-9880
If you are interested in therapy, you may want to know if you are covered by your insurance policy. Find more information about insurance coverage here.
The Pittsford Village Therapy Center Surrounding Rochester, NY Counties
Monroe County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Ontario County, Orleans County and Wayne County.
Pittsford Village Therapy Center Surrounding Rochester, NY Towns
Brighton, Chili, East Rochester, Fairport, Gates, Greece, Henrietta, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford, Victor and Webster