Anxiety or Anxiety Disorder?

We all have anxiety; it’s is a biological activation of our nervous system to keep us safe, from real or perceived danger. So, then what makes it a disorder? When an individual has impairments or dysfunction as a result of the symptoms from anxiety, it becomes a disorder.

An individual with an anxiety disorder will experience event that triggers a thought that activates a fear, they will then engage in a variety of different behaviors to try to control and reduce the thoughts, fears and physical sensations that arise from an activating incident. As these thoughts, fears, sensations and behaviors increase over time, it becomes a problem when an individual sees impairments and harm to their functioning as a result.

Yes, we all can say we feel anxiety as that is a normal part of human life, but it is important to know the difference between the common feeling and when it becomes impairing to an individual.

Our clinicians will be able to help you identify and diagnose an anxiety disorder, then develop a treatment plan to help you reduce your symptoms, impairments, dysfunction and suffering.