Depression and Anxiety Disorders
The most common sign of depression is "sad mood". Other common symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, hopelessness about the future, suicidal thoughts, fatigue, loss of energy, sleep difficulties & weight changes.
Individuals with anxiety disorders typically feel afraid, nervous and apprehensive that something bad or dangerous is going to happen. Very often individuals avoid situations that provoke fear, known as phobic situations. There are several different anxiety disorders treated at our clinic, including:
- Panic Disorder (with or without agoraphobia)
Individuals with this disorder experience panic attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, faintness, shortness of breath. Individuals often believe they are dying, going crazy, or will lose control during the attack.
Individuals with panic disorder may develop agoraphobia, which is the fear and/or avoidance of certain situations (e.g., elevators, trains, stores) where there is an expectation that a panic attack may occur.
- Specific Phobia
Individuals with this disorder experience irrational fear of a particular object or situation and avoid it. The most common phobias are fear of animals, flying, heights and closed spaces.
- Social Phobia
Individuals with this disorder experience an excessive, unreasonable fear during social situations, fearing that he or she may act in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. The individual tries to avoid such situations whenever possible.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Individuals with this disorder experience recurrent obsessions (thoughts, ideas, images that are intrusive & senseless) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed in response to an obsession).
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals with this disorder experience intense anxiety and emotional distress following a traumatic event, such as rape, assault, disasters or wartime combat. Physical symptoms such as restlessness, jumpiness and insomnia are common.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Individuals with this disorder experience persistent worry. Other common symptoms include muscle aches, restlessness, fatigue, insomnia, abdominal distress, concentration problems, and irritability.