Anxiety Disorder Treatment
by Dr. Moses L. James III, LPC, NCC, ACS, DCC



What does Anxiety Look Like?


According to Jongsma and Peterson (2014), anxiety may be defined by the following behaviors regarding anxiety disorder treatment:

 

  • Excessive worry that is difficult to control occurring more days than not for at least 6 months about a number of events
  • Motor tension (e.g., restlessness, tiredness, shakiness, muscle tension)
  • Autonomic hyperactivity (e.g., palpitations, shortness of breath, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, nausea)
  • Hypervigilance (e.g., feeling constantly on edge, experiencing concentration difficulties, having trouble falling or staying asleep, exhibiting a general state of irritability)


Potential Goals Regarding Anxiety Disorder Treatment


Jongsma and Peterson (2014) also noted the following potential goals regarding anxiety treatment:

 

  • Reducing overall frequency, intensity , and duration of the anxiety so that daily functioning is not impaired
  • Stabilize anxiety level while increasing ability to function on a daily basis
  • Resolve the core conflict that is the source of the anxiety
  • Enhance the ability to effectively cope with the full variety of life’s anxieties


Research Regarding Anxiety Disorder Treatment


Research supports the cause of anxiety stemming from both a genetic and environmental background (Curtis, Kimball, & Erin, 2004; Mussen, Conger, & Kagan, 1974; Krohne and Hock, 1991). 

 

In particular, research supported the idea that anxiety may be the product of several different genetic and environmental variables and that some children are born with hypersensitive nervous systems that may cause them to have low thresholds for anxiety. 

 

Giorgi (2011) discussed pivotal moments in therapy but left the question, “When is the change accomplished in therapy sustained?” As mentioned earlier, change occurs when the necessary ingredients are in place for change to occur.

 

From the aforesaid, cognitive behavioral approaches may address anxiety stemming from learned behavior as opposed to unlearned behavior.


A Cognitive Behavioral Thought to Relieve Anxiety


Once it has been established that an individual’s anxiety stemmed from a learned behavior, one can practice a rational replacement thought similar to Dr. Pucci’s script found in his workbook entitled, “The Client’s Guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy”

 

“I understand that the ability to recognize threats and act in accordance to address the threat is significant to survival when based on fact. However, there may be times that I may confuse something being a threat when in fact it is not a threat.

 

During those times, I will look at the probability of the threat occurring being careful to refuse thinking errors such as jumping to conclusions pointing out how I may develop an opinion about something very quickly without gathering facts.”

 

Rational replacement thoughts such as the previously mentioned may be beneficial in addressing anxiety through practice which includes repeated daily reading and better yet memorizing.


Mission Statement

We dedicate ourselves to the visualization of autonomy, justice, beneficence, and fidelity in providing meaningful help to culturally diverse populations receiving clinical services. 

It is our goal to engage and educate the individual in providing meaningful help in both feeling and getting better to culturally diverse populations.


Mental Health Center from WebMD

Mental health disorders affect an estimated 22% of American adults each year. Here you'll find in-depth mental health information including care, and various mental health conditions.