Anxiety FAQs
Anxiety is a very very broad topic and the questions are nearly limitless. This article simply contains a small sample of the many questions sent through to our panel of expert physicians and key opinion leaders. Feel free to submit more questions if you don’t find yours here.
Anxiety FAQs
Q. Can anxiety or panic attacks make you go mad?
A. Happily the short answer to this one is ‘no.' The worry of going crazy or losing control over yourself are common feelings with people that experience anxiety or panic attacks. If you find you do experience anxiety or panic attacks and tend to believe you are losing control, try to focus your attention and beliefs that these are temporary changes and messages sent by your brain and you will once again be in control when it passes.
Q. I'm not a fan of crowds or attention. Do I have a social phobia of some kind?
A. Being shy, withdrawn, and quiet in new surroundings and among new people is common and is not a phobia. It is a sort of defense mechanism to feel out our surroundings. However, if the shyness and worry about your surroundings incapacitates you or makes you nauseous and panicky, then you may actually have a phobia. If you can think yourself out of your shyness or it passes with time, then you are probably healthy. Otherwise, try talking to your doctor about what you experience.
Q. What treatment program is best for phobias?
A. Every case is different and so every treatment program is unique. However, speaking in generalities often cognitive behavioural therapy is usually appropriate for treating various phobias. This treatment program combines teaching mental techniques and altering behaviours to help combat the phobia as well as gradual exposure to the anxiety triggers. The intent is that the patient will learn these mental activities and physical behaviours and engage in them when they are faced with their phobia.