Anxiety and Its Look-Alikes

As a counsellor who specializes in anxiety, it is important for me to be aware that there are other disorders which masquerade as anxiety, but are in fact related to other areas of dysfunction in our brains. Some of these disorders, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), can even be mistaken for each other.

PTSD can easily be mistaken for an anxiety disorder. According to recent research and studies though, PTSD has been put in the category of a “trauma and stressor-related disorder” instead of an anxiety disorder. PTSD consists of emotions like guilt, shame and anger, which are outside the fear/anxiety spectrum (Pai, Suris and North 2017).

OCD can also be mistaken for an anxiety disorder. OCD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, however, which is related to disruptions in the brain’s executive function, while anxiety disorders are caused by disruptions in the brain’s emotional centre.

Call me if you think you have PTSD, OCD or anxiety. We’ll find out what the problem is, together.