Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States and affect more than 19 million adults each year.  Research has shown that one in 8 children suffer from an anxiety disorder, and anxiety problems typically begin in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.  While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, a combination of several factors is believed to contribute to the formation of significant anxiety symptoms including:  genetics, brain chemistry, early life and family of origin experiences and personality.

The most common anxiety disorders are:

Panic Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Social Anxiety Disorder
Agoraphobia
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Unaddressed and untreated anxiety can worsen over time and negatively impact the most important areas in one’s life.  More specifically, those who suffer from untreated anxiety are vulnerable to later experiencing additional mental health problems including: depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, body image disorders, impulse control and anger management disorders and ADHD.  Anxiety disorders can also co-exist with many other sorts of medical conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and sleep disorders.

Sadly, the majority of individuals who suffer from significant anxiety symptoms do not seek out or participate in treatment even when their anxiety plagues them or is the culprit to failed relationships and other sorts of hardships repeatedly.  This is unfortunate since large scale and impressive research studies out of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and elsewhere has consistently shown that anxiety disorders are highly treatable.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is considered to be the most effective therapy for anxiety disorders.  CBT directly addresses an individual’s thought patterns and behaviors in correcting one’s anxiety-laden troubled feelings and emotions.  Numerous research studies have repeatedly shown significant anxiety symptom reduction and a return to wellbeing and happiness for those who participate in CBT.

Psychiatric medication is also considered to be a very effective treatment for anxiety disorders with numerous impressive research studies supporting its use.  Many doctors and clinicians believe that a combination of CBT and medication is believed to bring about the most meaningful and lasting changes for those suffering from significant anxiety.

The doctors and clinicians at Ashburn Psychological and Psychiatric Services succesfully assess and treat individuals with anxiety disorders.  Each individual’s anxiety history and symptom profile is unique and treatment planning is carefully developed based on one’s needs.  Some patients will show dramatic improvements in functioning with CBT alone, while others are able to manage their anxiety struggles with only medication management.  Other patients are better suited for a combination of therapy and medication for a period of time.

We invite you to call us at: (703) 723-2999 to schedule a consultation today.  You may also wish to review the doctor and clinician professional biographies to learn more about the doctors and clinicians at the practice and the services each one offers.