Telehealth for anxiety
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Anxiety is the physical response to a threat or perceived threat, sometimes called an anxiety attack. It may consist of a rapid heart rate and breathing, trembling hands, or a sudden burst of energy.
It is natural for everyone to experience anxiety occasionally. However, sometimes people experience anxiety or fear consistently, affecting their ability to cope with everyday life. They may also experience anxiety or worry for no particular reason.
An anxiety disorder may be causing this discomfort, a condition that can be helped with Inner Psych’s telehealth services for anxiety.
Types of anxiety disorder
Although experiencing anxiety is always uncomfortable and distressing, not all types of anxiety are
the same or share the same triggers or treatment solutions.
- Generalised anxiety is excessive worry over everyday, common concerns such as work, finances or health.
- Social anxiety disorder is the consistent worrying about or avoidance of everyday social situations due to fear of embarrassment, humiliation or rejection.
- Panic disorder is when someone frequently experiences panic attacks: sudden intense episodes of irrational fear with symptoms including shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, shaking and confusion. A persistent fear of having a panic attack, too, is a panic disorder.
- Phobias are the irrational fear of a particular situation or thing, such as flying, injections or animals.
- Other: Less common types of anxiety with similar symptoms include separation anxiety and selective mutism.
Also linked to anxiety disorders are obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). However, these disorders originate and present markedly differently and are
discussed separately.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
- A frequent feeling of worry, anxiety or fear
- Anxiety unrelated to a specific cause.
- Symptoms include trembling hands, a rapid heart rate or shortness of breath.
- Avoidance of stressful situations.
- Loss of concentration or inability to perform ordinary day-to-day tasks. You may experience some or all these symptoms, depending on your type of anxiety and its potential cause.
Causes of anxiety disorder
Although the causes of anxiety aren't well understood, professionals generally accept that a wide range of factors may influence whether a person is likely to develop the condition.
Risk factors for developing an anxiety disorder include:
- Physical contributors:
- Genetic factors: You may be more likely to experience anxiety disorder if there's a family history of anxiety.
- Personality type: People who are perfectionists, have low self-esteem, always feel the need to be in control, or are shy, are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
- A chronic physical health issue: Living with a chronic health condition such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease can create ongoing stress.
- Pre-existing mental conditions:
- Another mental health condition: Living with depression or another mental health issue can make one more vulnerable to anxiety.
- Experiencing long term stressful events: These include a change in living arrangements, the breakdown of a relationship, pregnancy or childbirth, the loss of a loved one, stress at work, or another event that causes ongoing worry.
- Historical or ongoing trauma and challenges:
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse: A previous or current abusive situation or event can predispose one to anxiety.
- Substance abuse: Those struggling with a substance abuse disorder, particularly with alcohol, cannabis, sedatives or amphetamines, are more likely to develop anxiety. Whatever the cause or risk factors, our anxiety therapist online can help diagnose and treat your anxiety.
Book a consultation with us today
Diagnosis of anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed by a trained GP or mental health professional such as Inner Psych’s professional team.
We’ll use a detailed questionnaire to understand the frequency and severity of symptoms, triggers, ac personal and family history of mental health disorders and how your symptoms impact your
everyday life.
Then, our telehealth or online therapist for anxiety will provide a diagnosis based on a recognised
manual such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Finally, depending on the diagnosis, our online psychologist for anxiety will develop a treatment
schedule customised to your needs.
Treating anxiety disorder
We use several treatments for anxiety disorders. Selected therapies depend on the type and severity of the anxiety disorder and may vary from person to person.
Treatment may include:
- Psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy or behavioural therapy.
- Medication. Although this approach is typically only used in severe cases where other treatments in isolation are ineffective.
- Behavioural changes such as exercising regularly, eating healthily, reducing caffeine intake and practising relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and meditation.
- Online support tools using techniques similar to those taught in psychological therapy, delivered online, via phone apps, instant messaging or talking on the phone.
So, if you feel you may be suffering from anxiety or need a mental health professional to assist in
your treatment, please give us a call today. Our professional therapist can provide a comprehensive
online assessment of your condition and personalise an ongoing treatment plan to help you regain
control of your life.
Recovering from anxiety takes time and support. If you feel you may be suffering from anxiety or are in need of a mental health professional to assist in your treatment give us a call at Inner Psych today. Our professionals are able to provide a comprehensive online assessment of your condition and personalise an ongoing treatment to help you take back control of your life.