- DISORDERS TREATED
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety
- Specific Phobias
- Social Phobia
- Separation Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Depression
Q: If I think that I may need help, what should I do?
The first step in getting help is to contact us. We will schedule a free initial consultation over the phone with one of our psychologists. You should set aside one hour for the phone call, even though most initial consultations take about 30-45 minutes. We may also want to talk one or more of the important people in your life, such as your spouse or parents. If you are appropriate for treatment, we will schedule an initial in-person evaluation session.
Q: What makes the Florida Anxiety Clinic program unique?
A: The Florida Anxiety Clinic is unique in several respects. First, we are one of the only clinics in the country that offer an intense, one-week treatment for panic disorder and specific phobias.
Second, most clinics treat every type of mental disorder that exists--which is over 374 DSM-IV-TR diagnosable disorders. We limit our focus to the 12 anxiety disorders, plus unipolar depression. We believe in the old adage, do one thing and do it well.
Third, we are experts in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders. Although many clinicians will do cognitive-behavioral interventions, most of them are not experienced with the structured CBT treatment protocols used to treat specific anxiety disorders.
Fourth, we are flexible. We individually tailor each treatment to fit the patient. In our experience, this individual approach increases the chance that the treatment will work.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Yes. Your insurance may or may not be accepted, depending on your insurance and the treatment being provided.
Most insurance companies will not cover our one-week intensive treatment program and they may not cover, or provide severely limit coverage for treatment, when you receive treatment out of town. It is important that you call the mental health number on your insurance card and discuss your situation with them to receive your maximum reimbursement.
Our staff can call your insurance company for you and inquire about your coverage. No matter what the insurance coverage is, however, you are responsible for the fees at the time of service.
Q: I tried therapy before, but it didn't work. Why will it work now?
A: Several factors need to be in place for long-term gains. These include therapist experience, time to devote to behavioral treatment and intensity of therapy, support systems, ability to adapt to new behaviors, and continued practice of new behaviors. We will need to identify obstacles to treatment efficacy in order to ensure that your treatment will be more effective.
Q: What is intensive, short-term therapy?
A: The Florida Anxiety Clinic intensive treatment program condenses the traditional 12-session, 3-month cognitive-behavioral treatment into one week. It is designed for rapid recovery for individuals who do not have much time to recover, or prefer a short-term, intense treatment program.
Q: How common are anxiety disorders?
A: According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. Approximately 18.1% (40 million) of the adult U.S. population has an anxiety disorder. This means that nearly 1 out of 5 people you meet will have an anxiety disorder.
Approximately 3.1% (6.8 million) of adults have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 1.0% (2.2 million) have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, 2.7% (6.0 million) have Panic Disorder, 3.5% (7.7 million) have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 6.8% (15 million) have Social Anxiety Disorder, and 8.7% (19 million) of Americans have a Specific Phobia.
Q: Do anxiety disorders occur more often in men or women?
A: There are some gender differences in the occurrence of anxiety disorders. Women are twice as likely as men to have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Specific Phobias. Women are also more likely than men to suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with rape being the most common trigger of PTSD for women. Social Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder occur equally in men and women.
Q: How big of burden on society do anxiety disorders create?
A: According to data published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, which nearly represents one third of the $148 billion total mental health bill.
Q: Do people with anxiety disorders seek medical help more than others?
A: Yes. People with anxiety disorders are 3 to 5 times more likely to go to a doctor than people without anxiety disorders and they are 6 times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders.
Q: What causes anxiety disorders?
A: The causes of anxiety disorders is similar to that of physical disorders, such as diabetes or heart disease. Anxiety disorders are caused by an interaction between biological and environmental factors such as brain chemistry, life events, personality, and genetic predisposition.
Q: How effective are treatments for anxiety disorders?
A: Research on the treatment of anxiety disorders indicates that up to 90 percent of people with anxiety disorders can be effectively treated--meaning that the person experiences anxiety less frequently and intensely and can live a full and productive life without avoidance. It is important to remember that the success rates vary with the individual. Additional problems such as clinical depression or alcoholism may complicate proper diagnosis and treatment. Recovery is possible with the proper professional care.
Q: How long does treatment take?
A: The average length of treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy is 12 weeks. Treatment length does, however, depend on your condition and situation. With medication alone it can take several weeks, months, or years to improve.
Q: Are your treatments proven to work?
A: The treatments we use have been developed through research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and other large research institutions. All treatments are scientifically proven to be effective in overcoming specific anxiety disorders.
Q: What medications work best for anxiety disorders?
A: Many medications that were originally approved for treating depression are also effective in treating anxiety disorders. The newest of these antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
Other medications are called antianxiety and include the benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax) and beta-blockers. Benzodiazepines work fast to relax your nervous system and are highly effective in reducing anxiety. The problem with these medications is that they are highly addictive; physical addiction can occur in as little as two weeks of daily use.
Q: What types psychotherapy work best for anxiety disorders?
A: The types of psychotherapy that that have clinically-proven effective to treat anxiety disorders are behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy focuses on changing specific actions by using techniques to stop unwanted behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients to understand and change their thinking patterns that trigger anxiety, in addition to changing behavior.
Q: Do you use hypnosis to treat anxiety?
A: No. We do not use hypnosis to treat anxiety because research has indicated that it is not as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy in overcoming anxiety disorders. In fact, hypnosis is seldom effective in treating anxiety and can potentially worsen the condition. Moreover, only a small percentage of the population are hypnotizable; cognitive-behavioral therapy works with most everyone.
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Q: What is evidence-based treatment?
A: Evidence-based treatment is treatment that is derived from research, clinical trial, or rigorous testing and has a high probability for positive long term outcome. It is a treatment that has been demonstrated to work.
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