Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are mental health concerns that are characterized by excessive fear, worry, and behavioral disturbances. There are several specific types of anxiety disorders. Some of the more common types of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Specific Phobia. From a CBT perspective, anxiety disorders are a result of an overestimation of the threat involved in certain situations, and an underestimation of one’s ability to manage that threat. Below you can read some of the specific symptoms associated with the more common types of anxiety mentioned above.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

  • Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events

  • Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes

  • Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't

  • Difficulty handling uncertainty

  • Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision

  • Inability to set aside or let go of a worry

  • Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge

  • Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind "goes blank"

Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Fear of situations in which you may be judged

  • Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself

  • Fear that others will notice that you look anxious

  • Fear of physical symptoms that may cause you embarrassment, such as blushing, sweating, trembling or having a shaky voice

  • Avoiding doing things or speaking to people out of fear of embarrassment

  • Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention

  • Spending time after a social situation analyzing your performance and identifying flaws in your interactions

  • Expecting the worst possible consequences from a negative experience during a social situation

Panic Disorder

  • Unexpected panic attacks with symptoms such as accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, or stomachaches

  • Worry about having additional panic attacks

Specific Phobia

  • Extreme fear or worry about a specific object or situation, for example, flying, heights, certain animals, or blood

  • Avoidance of the object or situation associated with the fear or worry

If you are struggling with anxiety symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Kalamazoo Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, PLLC by clicking the button below. Therapists at KCBT who specialize in anxiety disorders include:

  • Dr. Janeé Steele