Tough-to-Treat Anxiety

How to recognize common obstacles to anxiety treatment and overcome complicating factors. Most people with mental health challenges of any kind are burdened by anxiety. In many cases, their anxiety symptoms are what prompt them to seek therapy in the first place. Unfortunately, these people also often have difficulty using standard anxiety treatment protocols, and problems heap upon themselves. When anxiety is tough to treat, dual conditions may be blocking treatment. This clinical casebook identifies symptoms that may indicate these obstacles, helping mental health professionals recognize conditions that coexist with anxiety—such as autism spectrum disorder, addiction, OCD, and depression. Margaret Wehrenberg breaks down this information into three parts: generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Each section describes a typical symptom pattern for each, how other disorders may complicate treatment, and examples of successful interventions. The book is organized by profiles of common conditions matched with an anxiety type, including "The Illogical Worrier" (generalized anxiety and OCD) and "The Meltdown Panicker" (panic disorder and autism spectrum disorder). Drawing from a career's worth of experience as a therapist supported by scholarly research, Tough-to-Treat Anxiety provides treatment methods for anxiety that resists remission. By highlighting commonly experience difficulties, this book jump starts the therapeutic journey to relief.