Panic and anxiety disorders are incredibly common. In fact, a significant portion of the United States adult population suffers from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. It is important for sufferers to realize that they are not alone.
It is my hope that this book has helped to answer your questions about anxiety and panic disorder. There are so many things that are important for sufferers and their loved ones to know that doctor’s just don’t seem to share. When you have the best resources and all of the best information, it can be much easier to find a treatment that will be effective to you.
It is important to keep in mind that medication, which sometimes necessary for short term treatment of anxiety that is crippling or that leaves someone at risk of harming themselves or others, can be a risky treatment for long term anxiety. Studies have proven that cognitive behavioral therapy offers a greater chance of recovery and symptom reduction without the risks of side effects and dependency. We live in a society where it seems that everyone wants to push drugs as some sort of miracle cure when in truth no such miracle exists.
There are a number of different anxiety disorders, and in some cases, patients can exhibit symptoms of more than one disorder at a time. Obtaining a proper diagnosis can be further complicated by depression and other mental and physical health issues. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of anxiety, but your doctor doesn’t seem willing to provide you a diagnosis so that you can get the treatment that you need, speak to someone new. Anxiety is a very treatable condition, but first you need to find someone who can offer you the treatment that you require.
Treating anxiety and panic is about a number of things. Therapy is a very important element of your recovery, but so is having a strong support system and finding coping techniques that you can employ at home. You also have to be willing to practice therapeutic techniques whenever you experience symptoms so that these methods can be as effective as possible.
Anxiety doesn’t have to be disabling and it doesn’t have to control your life. It is my hope that you will use the information learned within these pages to help you get the help that you deserve. At the end of this book, you will find an appendix of resources that can help you find more information on panic and anxiety disorders as well as where you can turn in your state or online for the help you need.
Resources
In this appendix, you will find an array of websites that can offer you more information on anxiety and panic disorders as well as resources that can help you find help and support both online and where you live and books that can offer more information.
Learning More About Anxiety and Treatment
Information on Anxiety
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=anxiety_disorders
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
The Office of the Surgeon General
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html
The Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anxiety/DS01187/DSECTION=symptoms
General Anxiety Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502
Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder
The Social Anxiety Association
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/social-anxiety-disorder/DS00595
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=symptoms
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
PTSD Alliance
Acute Stress Disorder
National Center for PTSD
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/acute-stress-disorder.asp
Agoraphobia
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/agoraphobia/DS00894
Specific Phobia
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/specific-phobias.shtml
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/specific-phobias
Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/panic-disorder/index.shtml
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/panic-attacks/DS00338
Anxiety in Children
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=The+Anxious+Child§ion=Facts+for+Families
Anxiety in the Elderly
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/20061101/anxiety-missed-elderly
Health Central
http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/understanding-anxiety-279218-5.html
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Anxiety Network
http://www.anxietynetwork.com/hcbt.html
Health Central
http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/1950/17898/10-reasons-cbt
Brain Physics
http://www.brainphysics.com/anxiety-therapy.php
Interoceptive Exposure
About.com
http://ptsd.about.com/od/glossary/g/interoceptive.htm
Relaxation Techniques
Healthy Place
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/20061101/best-ways-to-ease-anxiety-disorders
Diet and Exercise
LiveStrong
http://www.livestrong.com/article/238386-diet-exercise-anxiety/
PsychCentral
http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/24/exercise-helps-to-reduce-anxiety/11681.html
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coping-with-anxiety/AN01589
Finding Therapists and Support Groups Near You
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Find a Therapist
http://www.find-a-therapist.com/
Psychology Today
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/
American Psychological Association
GoodTherapy
TherapyTribe
FindCounseling
http://www.findcounseling.com/
Anxiety Disorders of America Support Groups
http://www.adaa.org/supportgroups
Online Counseling, Support Groups, and Forums
AnxietyZone (forums for an array of disorders)
AnxietyHelp
http://www.anxietyhelp.org/forum/index.php
Yahoo Anxiety Support Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=anxiety
WebMD
http://exchanges.webmd.com/anxiety-and-panic-disorders-exchange
Daily Strength
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Anxiety/support-group
Find the Light
Therapy 24/7
http://www.therapy247.com/home/
iTherapy
Social Anxiety Forums
http://www.socialanxietyforums.com/
PsychCentral
http://forums.psychcentral.com/?Cat=&Board=depression
Anxiety Journey (Forum on natural and alternative treatments)
http://www.anxietypanicattack.com/forum/index.php
Books
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety by William J Knaus
Anxiety and Its Disorders by David H. Barlow
Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective by Aaron Beck, PhD, Gary Emery, and Ruth Greenberg
Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders by David A Clark PhD and Aaron Beck MD
What You Must Think of Me: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager’s Experience with Social Anxiety Disorder by Emily Ford, Michael Liebowitz, and Linda Wasmer Andrews
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents by Wendy Silverman and Andrew Field
If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder by Edna B.Foa and Linda Wasmer Andrews
Mood Disorders in Later Life by James M Elison, Helen H Kyomen, and Sumer Verma
Phone Numbers
Alcohol and Drug Help Line
1-800-821-4357
Covenant House Nineline (help for youth and parents)
1-800-999-9999
Kid Help (immediate help for kids and teens with mental health crises)
1-800-543-7283
NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
1-800-950-NAMI
National Mental Health Association (free info on anxiety and other disorders)
1-800-969-6642
National Institute of Mental Health (Info and literature on mental illness)
1-800-647-2642
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (for anyone in crisis or emotional distress)
1-800-273-TALK