Anxiety Disorders
Related Topics
Q & A with Dr. Paul Foxman
Why and how does anxiety develop?
Anxiety is related to the survival instinct. Normally, we react self-protectively
to threat or danger with the “fight or flight response.” This state
of high mental alertness and physical arousal prepares us to “fight” or “flee” from
danger. However, the fear reaction can occur when there is no present danger
or threat. For example, if a child is a victim of bullying in school he is
likely to perceive school as a dangerous place and experience anxiety in that
setting. He may even refuse to go to school or develop separation anxiety.
In other words, anxiety is the fear reaction to a perception or anticipation of
danger when no actual threat is present. Sensitive people—those who react
strongly to external or internal experiences—have a higher risk of developing
anxiety.
In an effort to control anxiety, we may avoid certain situations, worry frequently, or develop obsessive-compulsive and other behavior. These patterns are not productive and they usually interfere with daily life.
more »Resource Organizations » Anxiety Disorders
13 listing(s), including 2 offering support groups
In Massachusetts
Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
The Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) at Boston
University specializes in the research, evaluation, and treatment
of anxiety disorders in children and adults. The website includes
clinical descriptions of common anxiety-related conditions such as
phobias, OCD, panic disorder, eating disorders, and generalized
anxiety disorder. The site also lists opportunities to participate
in research studies and receive services free of charge.
MGH Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders
www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/services/anxiety_home.aspx
One Bowdoin Square
6th Floor
Boston, MA 021141-866-449-6779
The Center is investigating the efficacy of treatments for Panic
Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder,
Complicated Grief, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, while seeking
to learn more about the underlying causes and course of Anxiety
Disorders.
Mood Gym
MoodGYM is an interactive program designed to help you:
* Identify whether you are having problems with emotions like anxiety and depression,
* Learn skills that can help you cope with these emotions.
MoodGYM is based on two programs which are successful in preventing and treating depression and anxiety. These are: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.
MoodGYM is designed to be used by people who would like to prevent mental health problems or manage problems which are troubling but not incapacitating. MoodGYM is not specifically designed for use by people with clinical levels of depression or anxiety. MoodGYM suggests that those with depression scores above 2-3 seek contact with a health professional.
* Identify whether you are having problems with emotions like anxiety and depression,
* Learn skills that can help you cope with these emotions.
MoodGYM is based on two programs which are successful in preventing and treating depression and anxiety. These are: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy.
MoodGYM is designed to be used by people who would like to prevent mental health problems or manage problems which are troubling but not incapacitating. MoodGYM is not specifically designed for use by people with clinical levels of depression or anxiety. MoodGYM suggests that those with depression scores above 2-3 seek contact with a health professional.
Needham Health Department
The Needham Health Department offers a range of mental health
services for citizens of the town. Public Health Nurses provide
confidential counseling and referrals to all ages. Short-term
home-based services for at-risk teenagers and their families are
provided through Riverside Community Care's Alternative Youth
Services program. The program includes family counseling, advocacy,
information, and referral. Call the Health Department for more
information on these free services. The town's Substance Abuse
Prevention and Education program provides informational programs,
educational resources, and confidential substance abuse support
services for Needham youth, adults, and seniors. Contact Carol Read
at the Health Department to find out more about inpatient and
outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, and peer
support resources regarding substance abuse, addiction and chemical
dependency.
Needham Youth Services
This is a town-funded department which provides professional and
confidential mental health services to youth and their families in
Needham. It offers support, information, and direction on issues
such as peer relationships, stress, grief and loss, substance use,
suicide, and other concerns. Most services are free of charge. The
department collaborates regularly with civic and community
organizations on a variety of projects.
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation of Greater Boston
The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation of Greater Boston (OCF/GB) was
formed in 1995 by a small group of people diagnosed with OCD, their
families and friends. This affiliate of the International OCD
Foundation was organized in response to the absence of local
support groups and educational resources. Although its name
suggests a jurisdiction limited to the Greater Boston area, it
extends its services in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire,
Vermont, and Maine.
The primary goals of the organization are: to assist individuals afflicted with OCD identify, seek, and gain access to appropriate support and affordable treatment; to provide education and information about OCD and related disorders to sufferers and their families; and to assist those diagnosed with OCD to become recognized as valuable members of their community.
The primary goals of the organization are: to assist individuals afflicted with OCD identify, seek, and gain access to appropriate support and affordable treatment; to provide education and information about OCD and related disorders to sufferers and their families; and to assist those diagnosed with OCD to become recognized as valuable members of their community.
School Psychiatry Program and MADI Resource Center
www2.massgeneral.org/schoolpsychiatry
50 Saniford Street
Boston, MA 02114For Children and Adolescents: 617-726-2725
For Adults: 617-724-7792
Schoolpsychiatry.org is a joint project of the School Psychiatry
Program and the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Institute (MADI)
Resource Center, both of the Department of Psychiatry at
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Schoolpsychiatry.org is
committed to enhancing the education and mental health of every
student in every school. The Mood & Anxiety Disorders Institute
(MADI) Resource Center translates the latest research advances into
practical information, helping people work with their clinicians
toward the most accurate diagnosis and best possible treatment
results. The Center also offers resources and support to help
people manage daily living with mood and anxiety disorders and cope
with the disorders' effects on family relationships.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
namimass.org
400 West Cummings Park
Suite 6650
Woburn, MA 01801781-938-4048
Toll Free: 800-370-9085
Fax: 781-938-4069
The National Alliance on Mental Illness maintains a helpline for
informaion on mental illnesses and referrals to local groups. The
local self-help groups have support and adocacy components and
offer education and information about community services for
families and individuals. For information about the Alliance's
affiliates and activities in MA, contact NAMI Massachusetts.
Outside Massachusetts
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit
organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment
and cure of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of all
people who suffer from them. ADAA is dedicated to informing the
public, health care professionals, and media that anxiety disorders
are real, serious, and treatable. ADAA promotes professional and
public awareness of anxiety and related disorders (such as PTSD,
OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety) and their impact on people's
lives. The organization also links people who need treatment with
the health care professionals who provide it. The ADAA website also
provides listings of anxiety disorder support groups offered across
the United States.
E-Couch
E-couch is a self-help interactive program with modules for
depression, generalised anxiety & worry, social anxiety,
relationship breakdown, and loss & grief.
It provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.
It provides evidence-based information and teaches strategies drawn from cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapies as well as relaxation and physical activity.
Freedom From Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health
advocacy association. The mission of FFF is to impact, in a
positive way, the lives of all those affected by anxiety,
depressive and related disorders through advocacy, education,
research and community support. The website provides information on
anxiety and depression along with self-screening tools for these
conditions, referrals for support groups and mental health
professionals, and resources on accessing treatment for those with
and without health insurance.
The Balanced Mind Foundation
The Balanced Mind Foundation guides families raising children with
mood disorders to the answers, support and stability they seek.
The Balanced Mind Foundation envisions a world where children living with mood disorders thrive because their families have the resources, community and support they need.
The Balanced Mind Foundation envisions a world where children living with mood disorders thrive because their families have the resources, community and support they need.
Worry Wise Kids
This site was launched because of the urgent need to address the
growing needs of our children to be equipped to cope with and
overcome the stress, worry and anxieties in their life. Our mission
is to improve the quality of life for anxious children and their
families by providing parents, educators and mental health
professionals with comprehensive, user-friendly information on the
full range of anxiety disorders. Because children may be secretive
about their worries and suffer in silence, our goal is to help
adults who care about kids to be on the lookout for red flags. We
offer information about treatment options, kid-friendly
explanations for the mechanisms that create and maintain anxiety,
parenting do's and don'ts, how to handle school issues and more.
Additional Sources of Information
From SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
From the School Psychiatry Program and MADI Resource Center
- Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
- Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
Disclaimer: Material on the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service website is intended as general information. It is not a recommendation for treatment, nor should it be considered medical or mental health advice. The MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service urges families to discuss all information and questions related to medical or mental health care with a health care professional.
