Anxiety Disorders

What are anxiety disorders?

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Anxiety Disorders CEUs Panic Disorders CEUs BBS Approved MFT LCSW

Anxiety disorders range from feelings of uneasiness to immobilizing bouts of terror. This fact sheet briefly describes the different types of anxiety disorders. This fact sheet is not exhaustive, nor does it include the full range of symptoms and treatments. Keep in mind that new research can yield rapid and dramatic changes in our understanding of and approaches to mental disorders. If you believe you or a loved one has an anxiety disorder, seek competent, professional advice or another form of support.


Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives and some nervousness in anticipation of a real situation. However if a person cannot shake unwarranted worries, or if the feelings are jarring to the point of avoiding everyday activities, he or she most likely has an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms: Chronic, exaggerated worry, tension, and irritability that appear to have no cause or are more intense than the situation warrants. Physical signs, such as restlessness, trouble falling or staying asleep, headaches, trembling, twitching, muscle tension, or sweating, often accompany these psychological symptoms.
Formal diagnosis: When someone spends at least six months worried excessively about everyday problems. However, incapacitating or troublesome symptoms warranting treatment may exist for shorter periods of time.
Treatment: Anxiety is among the most common, most treatable mental disorders. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension. Medication, most commonly anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepine and its derivatives, also may be required in some cases. Some commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications are diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam. The non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication buspirone can be helpful for some individuals.


Panic Disorder: People with panic disorder experience white-knuckled, heart-pounding terror that strikes suddenly and without warning. Since they cannot predict when a panic attack will seize them, many people live in persistent worry that another one could overcome them at any moment.
Symptoms: Pounding heart, chest pains, lightheadedness or dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, shaking or trembling, choking, fear of dying, sweating, feelings of unreality, numbness or tingling, hot flashes or chills, and a feeling of going out of control or going crazy.
Formal Diagnosis: Either four attacks within four weeks or one or more attacks followed by at least a month of persistent fear of having another attack. A minimum of four of the symptoms listed above developed during at least one of the attacks. Most panic attacks last only a few minutes, but they occasionally go on for ten minutes, and, in rare cases, have been known to last for as long as an hour. They can occur at any time, even during sleep.
Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications such as high-potency anti-anxiety drugs like alprazolam. Several classes of antidepressants (such as paroxetine, one of the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and the older tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) are considered "gold standards" for treating panic disorder. Sometimes a combination of therapy and medication is the most effective approach to helping people manage their symptoms. Proper treatment helps 70 to 90 percent of people with panic disorder, usually within six to eight weeks.


Phobias: Most of us steer clear of certain, hazardous things. Phobias however, are irrational fears that lead people to altogether avoid specific things or situations that trigger intense anxiety. Phobias occur in several forms, for example, agoraphobia is the fear of being in any situation that might trigger a panic attack and from which escape might be difficult. Social phobia is a fear of being extremely embarrassed in front of other people. The most common social phobia is fear of public speaking.
Symptoms: Many of the physical symptoms that accompany panic attacks - such as sweating, racing heart, and trembling - also occur with phobias.
Formal Diagnosis: The person experiences extreme anxiety with exposure to the object or situation; recognizes that his or her fear is excessive or unreasonable; and finds that normal routines, social activities, or relationships are significantly impaired as a result of these fears.
Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy has the best track record for helping people overcome most phobic disorders. The goals of this therapy are to desensitize a person to feared situations or to teach a person how to recognize, relax, and cope with anxious thoughts and feelings. Medications, such as anti-anxiety agents or antidepressants, can also help relieve symptoms. Sometimes therapy and medication are combined to treat phobias.


Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Researchers now know that anyone, even children, can develop PTSD if they have experienced, witnessed, or participated in a traumatic occurrence-especially if the event was life threatening. PTSD can result from terrifying experiences such as rape, kidnapping, natural disasters, or war or serious accidents such as airplane crashes. The psychological damage such incidents cause can interfere with a person's ability to hold a job or to develop intimate relationships with others.
Symptoms: The symptoms of PTSD can range from constantly reliving the event to a general emotional numbing. Persistent anxiety, exaggerated startle reactions, difficulty concentrating, nightmares, and insomnia are common. People with PTSD typically avoid situations that remind them of the traumatic event, because they provoke intense distress or even panic attacks.
Formal Diagnosis: Although the symptoms of PTSD may be an appropriate initial response to a traumatic event, they are considered part of a disorder when they persist beyond three months.
Treatment: Psychotherapy can help people who have PTSD regain a sense of control over their lives. They also may need cognitive behavior therapy to change painful and intrusive patterns of behavior and thought and to learn relaxation techniques. Support from family and friends can help speed recovery and healing. Medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety agents to reduce anxiety, can ease the symptoms of depression and sleep problems. Treatment for PTSD often includes both psychotherapy and medication.

For more information, as well as referrals to specialists and self-help groups in your State, contact:

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
8730 Georgia Avenue - Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: 240-485-1001
Fax: 240-485-1035
www.adaa.org

Mental Help Net
CenterSite, LLC
570 Metro Place
Dublin, OH 43017
http://mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=1

National Mental Health Association
2001 Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Telephone: 800-969-6642
Fax: 703-684-5968
(TDD): 800-433-5959
www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/index.cfm

The National Institute of Mental Health's toll-free information line is
1-866-615-6464; their web address is www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/anxietymenu.cfm.

Women and Depression Fast Facts

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Women and Depression Fast Facts
One in four women will experience severe depression at some point in life.

Depression affects twice as many women as men, regardless of racial and ethnic background or income.

Depression is the number one cause of disability in women.

In general, married women experience more depression than single women do, and depression is common among young mothers who stay at home full-time with small children.

Women who are victims of sexual and physical abuse are at much greater risk for depression.

At least 90 percent of all cases of eating disorders occur in women, and there is a strong relationship between eating disorders and depression.

Depression can put women at risk for suicide. While more men than women die from suicide, women attempt suicide about twice as often as men do.

Only about one-fifth of all women who suffer from depression seek treatment.

Depression can - and should - be treated.
For more information, contact:
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
800-789-2647
mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
11/21/00

Resources

American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202-336-5500 or 800-374-2721
www.apa.org


National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
703-524-7600 or 800-950-6264
www.nami.org


National Asian Women's Health Organization
250 Montgomery Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-989-9747
www.nawho.org


National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
301-443-4513 or 800-421-4211
www.nimh.nih.gov


National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street - 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-684-7722 or 800-969-6642
www.nmha.org


Society for Women's Health Research
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 625
Washington, DC 20036
202-223-8224
www.womens-health.org


The National Women's Health Information Center
A service of the Office on Women's Health in the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
800-994-WOMAN
www.WomensHealth.gov

law and ethics ceus

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law and ethics ceus

Law and Ethics (6 hours)
Description


Identify scope of practice issues and definitions
Increase familiarity with the characteristics of unprofessional conduct, negligence, and standard of care
Explore the legal issues of privilege, confidentiality, treatment of minors, record retention/storage, termination, informed consent, malpractice, and sex with clients.
Increase familiarity with HIPAA and third party reimbursement
Explore professional ethics information including CAMFT and NASW Ethical Standards.

substance abuse ceus

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substance abuse ceus

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Dependency (15 hours)
Description CH 1-Definitions
CH 2-History
CH 3-DSM Criteria
CH 4-Types of Substance Abuse
CH 5-Prescription Drug Addiction and Dependence
CH 6-Demographic Characteristics
CH 7-Substance Abuse Treatments and Outcomes


Become familiar with clinical and statistical information regarding substance abuse history, DSM criteria, types of abuse, demographic characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.
Define substance abuse and identify its effects.
Become familiar with the medical aspects of alcohol abuse/dependence and other types of chemical dependency.
Apply current theories of the etiology of substance abuse.
Recognize the role of persons and systems that support or compound the abuse.
Become familiar with the major treatment approaches to alcoholism and chemical dependency.
Learn the national legal aspects of substance abuse.
Obtain knowledge of certain populations at risk with regard to substance abuse.
Access community resources offering assessment, treatment and follow-up for the abuser and family.
Learn the process of referring affected persons.

Continuing Education CEUS for MFT, LCSW, and LPC License Renewal

Our Continuing Education courses encompass all areas of mental health practice. Whether you are completing CEUs for your certification or maintain your license, our online continuing education courses provide the fastest, lowest cost, most convenient way to fulfill your CEU requirements. We offer courses in the following subjects:

Aging and Long Term Care CEUs
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Dependency CEUs
Anger Management CEUs
Anxiety Disorders CEUs
Assessment and Diagnosis CEUs
Bipolar Disorder CEUs
Boundaries CEUs
Boundaries in Marriage CEUs
Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting CEUs
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CEUs
Conflict Resolution CEUs
Crisis Counseling CEUs
Depressive Disorders CEUs
Family Therapy CEUs
From Panic to Power CEUs
Group Therapy CEUs
HIV and AIDS CEUs
How To Build a Thriving Fee-for-Service Practice CEUs
Human Sexuality CEUs
Law and Ethics CEUs
Managed Care CEUs
Mom's House, Dad's House CEUs
Panic Disorder CEUs
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder CEUs
Psychopharmacology CEUs
Spousal and Partner Abuse CEUs
Step-Wives CEUs

HIV and AIDS Online Continuing Education CEUs

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HIV and AIDS Online Continuing Education CEUsHIV and AIDS

Description

Differentiate between HIV and AIDS
Identify causes
Learn epidemiology
Learn the historical framework related to the development of HIV/AIDS
Become familiar with the impact HIV/AIDS on culture
Identify and recognize common stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS
Increase familiarity with the relationship between HIV/AIDS and mental health
Increase familiarity with the relationship between HIV/AIDS and substance abuse
Develop the ability to identify the characteristics and method of assessment and treatment of people who live with HIV/AIDS.

ACTION ALERT: MHSA Funding

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ACTION ALERT: MHSA Funding

Governor Schwarzenegger recently released his State Budget proposal for the fiscal year, 2010-2011. The 2010-2011 budget proposes to divert funding from the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) funding into the general fund in order to help address the state’s budget deficit in 2010-11. This proposal would nearly eliminate state funding for the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program and significantly reduce state funding for the Medi-Cal Mental Health Managed Care program. As you recall from last year, 65 percent of California voters already rejected this proposal (Proposition 1E), which would have redirected $226 million away from the Mental Health Services Act.





On February 11, 2010, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee will hear and take public comment on the Governor's proposal to divert MHSA funding. This decision on whether to accept the Governor’s proposal will be made by the Legislature during the next few weeks.



If this proposal is adopted, the progress MHSA is making at reducing costly hospitalizations, incarceration, homelessness, school failure, and out-of-home placements could be destroyed. When community services are not available, patients utilize hospitals and emergency rooms imposing high costs on both the state and local governments. Without funds being distributed to combat mental illness, “state and county governments are forced to pay billions of dollars each year in emergency medical care, long-term nursing home care, unemployment, and housing.”[1] Inadequate access to mental health services forces law enforcement officers to serve as the mental health providers of last resort, and this misuse of the corrections’ system costs taxpayers’ money, and creates a lack of law enforcement where necessary. The MHSA is an exceptional first step towards addressing the problem of untreated mental illness for low income families within our society. We therefore urge our members to tell their Legislators that they oppose this proposal.



What can you do? Write a letter to the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees, as well as to the Assembly Members and Senators who represent your community and explain your opposition to cutting MHSA funding and encouraging your legislator to reject the Governor’s proposal to divert MHSA funds to the State General Fund.

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The contact information for the budget committees is as follows:

· Senate Budget Committee: Direct (916) 319-2099 or Fax (916) 323-8386

· Assembly Budget Committee: Direct (916) 651-4103 or Fax (916) 319-2199



If you wish to speak to your legislator directly, to find out which Legislators represent you and your community, simply enter your zip code here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html



You can also testify in person on February 11, 2010 at the State Capitol, when the Assembly Budget Committee will be taking public comment on this proposal. The Assembly Budget Committee will have a discussion and take public comment on Thursday, February 11th at their hearing, which will be held at 1:00 p.m. in Room 4202 of the State Capitol building in Sacramento .


We all can agree that the state has an economic crisis on its hands. But cutting mental health services to our state’s most vulnerable populations is not the answer. In fact, it will turn those currently receiving services out into the streets and emergency rooms. How can this be a solution to our state’s money problems?