Anxiety Specialist

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a commonly used term to describe the intense sense of worry that we experience in preparation, or in anticipation, of an event. While anxiety can be used as a general term to describe these often unwelcome feelings, there are many clinical presentations under the anxiety umbrella. Sometimes anxiety presents itself as a constant, severe sense of generalized worry (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), while for other people, anxiety appears in the form of panic attacks in response to specific situations (Panic Disorder). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is also a related condition that may produce impulsive feelings or behaviors to remove the unwanted feelings of anxiety (for example, by repetitive hand washing). 

Other types of anxiety disorders include:

•       Social anxiety disorder
•       Separation anxiety disorder
•       Specific phobias

However your feelings of anxiety are manifesting, Dr. Kaushansky understands how painful it can be to constantly worry or to feel that things are on the verge of falling apart. Empirical research has not only shown how incredibly common anxiety is in today’s society, but how often it occurs alongside other distressing conditions like depression. 

In addition to your brain chemistry, many other factors contribute to anxiety disorders. For example, if you have a family history of anxiety, you have a higher chance of developing it yourself, both through your genes and learned behaviors. Other risk factors for anxiety include:

•       Personal history of neglect, abuse, poverty, or trauma
•       A chronic or severe illness
•       High stress levels
•       Drug or alcohol abuse
•       Certain personality types, such as being a perfectionist

What are the signs of anxiety?

Anxiety causes a variety of disruptive mental and physical symptoms that range in severity. For example, you might experience:

•       Intrusive, disproportionate fears and worries
•       A sense of impending doom
•       Reduced concentration
•       Insomnia
•       Trembling
•       Sweating
•       Gastrointestinal problems
•       Rapid heartbeat
•       Rapid, shallow breathing

You might also adapt your behaviors and routines to avoid anxiety triggers. For example, you might start to avoid social situations to avoid having to talk to strangers or reduce the time that you spend in a crowd. 

When should I talk to a psychologist about anxiety?

Anxiety can be a normal, and helpful, response to worrisome situations. It’s when you begin to feel a sense of chronic, excessive worry about many different aspects of life that anxiety gets in the way of you being your best self. It is also common for anxiety to begin to take shape in physical forms such as headaches, stomach pains, GI issues, and fatigue. If anxiety interferes with your ability to function or reduces your quality of life, it’s time to get professional help.

How is anxiety treated?

Anxiety is a treatable condition. Through individual, one-on-one therapy, Dr. Kaushansky can develop a therapeutic plan that is tailored to your specific issues, experiences, background, culture, and goals. Many of his patients respond positively to a combination of psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies, and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. Therapy sessions typically focus on revealing insights about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—and, importantly, how they’re all connected. As you gradually gain more understanding of these connections, you’ll find that many areas of your life begin to evolve and to heal. Through open, friendly, down-to-earth conversation, Dr. Kaushansky can help you to manage and change intrusive, negative thoughts, improve your ability to relax and rest, ease irritability, and loosen the grip of worry over your daily life.