History
The Anxiety Disorders Foundation, Inc. was founded in the fall of 2002. We are dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by anxiety disorders. Our goal is to increase the number of anxiety disorder sufferers seeking effective treatment by:

     •  Directly funding treatment for those who can not afford it.
     •  Funding training for mental health care providers in order to better assess and treat these conditions.
     •  Increasing public awareness regarding anxiety disorders.

We are the only charitable organization of this type that we are aware of. To date, one hundred percent of all funds raised have been allocated toward fulfilling our mission, with zero administrative costs. The Anxiety Disorders Foundation is a 501(C) (3) charitable organization. All donations made to the Anxiety Disorders Foundation are tax-deductible. Through your kind, tax-deductible donation you will be providing anxiety disorder sufferers an opportunity to once again become productive members of our community.

Research shows that anxiety disorder sufferers tend to have high levels of functioning before becoming afflicted with their conditions, and regain this high level of functioning following successful treatment. We sincerely appreciate your interest in the Anxiety Disorders Foundation and hope you will consider a gift toward our cause.

Board of Directors
Bradley C. Riemann, Ph.D., President
Oconomowoc, WI

Deanna Doerr, Vice-President
Mequon, WI

Rod Winter, Treasurer
Delafield, WI

Kim Kirkpatrick, Secretary
Oconomowoc, WI

Lorraine Bell, Director
Windermere, FL

Craig Benzel, Director
De Pere, WI

Mike Jankowski, Director
Whitefish Bay, WI

Kathy Langer, Director
Oconomowoc, WI

Kris Natalizio, Director
Oconomowoc, WI

Jill Riemann, Director
Oconomowoc, WI

Please scroll down to read about common anxiety disorders including:

     •  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
     •  Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
     •  Generalized Anxiety Disorder
     •  Social Anxiety Disorder
     •  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that generate high levels of anxiety. Common examples of obsessions include the fear of contamination, repeated doubt, the need for exactness or symmetry, harming or aggressive thoughts, and unacceptable religious or sexual thoughts. Compulsions are some repetitive act, it could be another mental act (i.e., another thought) or a behavioral act done in an attempt to neutralize the obsessive thought, or get rid of the anxiety that it causes, or to somehow prevent the feared event from occurring. Common compulsions include washing and cleaning, checking, counting, ordering, repeating, praying, hoarding and seeking reassurance.

OCD is a very common and debilitating problem. Nearly 3% of Americans suffer from this condition. OCD is a chronic problem unless treated properly. The average age of onset for this condition is roughly 20 although it can occur in individuals much younger. It appears to affect men and women equally. The cause of OCD is unknown. Research appears to point to a biological cause that may be in part genetically influenced. The leading biological theory involves the brain chemical serotonin.

OCD is a very treatable condition. Certain antidepressant medications have been found to reduce symptoms. These medications may reduce OCD symptoms as much as 30-50% in most individuals. These medications all influence levels of serotonin.

The treatment of choice for OCD appears to be Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT for OCD consists of exposure and ritual prevention (ERP) and cognitive restructuring skills. These techniques have been found to produce success rates between 75 and 85% on average. For some, the most effective and efficient treatment may consist of a combination of medications and CBT.
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Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent panic attacks. Panic attacks are defined as discrete periods of intense fear that at least initially occur "from out of the blue" or "for no apparent reason". These attacks are characterized by many physical symptoms or sensations such as an increase in heart rate, pounding of the heart or heart palpitations (i.e., skipping), breathlessness or difficulty breathing, chest pain, tightness or discomfort, sweating, hot flushes or cold chills, dizziness, tingling or numbness in the extremities (e.g., hands, scalp), shaking or trembling, throat tightness, stomach upset or nausea, and the feelings of unreality (e.g., derealization, depersonalization). Individuals experiencing panic attacks also commonly misinterpret these bodily sensations as a sign of impending doom (e.g., believe they are having a heart attack, going insane, fainting or about to lose control), and fear having additional attacks. These attacks occur very suddenly and build to their peak rapidly. Because of the nature of these attacks many PD sufferers are seen initially in medical settings (e.g., emergency rooms, primary care offices).

PD is also commonly associated with agoraphobia. Agoraphobia refers to the fear of certain situations due to the belief that one may have a panic attack and escape would be difficult or embarrassing. Situations commonly feared and typically avoided by people with agoraphobia include driving or riding as a passenger in an automobile, riding public transportation, being home alone, crowds, restaurants, movie theaters or church, stores or malls, bridges, escalators, open spaces, and closed spaces. Agoraphobia generally develops within the first year of the onset of recurrent panic attacks.

PD affects more women than men. Seventy-five percent of individuals with PD are women. The average age of onset appears to be roughly 22.5, however it can develop in children as well. PD tends to be a chronic condition with a fluctuating course if left untreated. PD with agoraphobia (PDA) affects roughly 5% of the U.S. population.

The cause of PDA is unknown. There are biological and psychological theories that have been supported by research. It appears that the best explanation for this condition maybe a "psychobiological" model combining both schools of thought. It may also be that different people with PDA may panic for different reasons, pointing to multiple causes for this phenomenon and not just one.

PDA is also a very treatable condition in the vast majority of cases. Medications (e.g., certain antidepressants, certain antianxiety drugs) have been found to be helpful. These medications appear to be more successful in blocking the panic attacks than helping with the associated feature of agoraphobic fear and avoidance.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has also been found to be effective and many feel is the treatment of choice for PDA. CBT not only has been found to help block panic attacks but also to help reduce the agoraphobic fear and avoidance. Success rates as high as 85% have been found using CBT. CBT for PDA consists of monitoring panic attacks and avoidance behavior, respiratory control (i.e., slow, controlled breathing), cognitive restructuring (i.e., identify and correct errors in thought), interoceptive exposure (i.e., exposure to bodily sensations), and invivo exposure (i.e., exposure to feared situations). For some, the most effective and efficient way to be treated may be a combination of medication and CBT.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and unrealistic worry about multiple life areas. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control their worry, and may experience restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and disturbed sleep as a result. Common areas of worry include job responsibilities or performance, personal finances, health of family members, children’s safety, and daily issues (e.g., chores, household repairs). GAD may also result in physical symptoms, such as — dry mouth, nausea or diarrhea, headache, restless leg syndrome, cold hands, sweating, or a "lump in the throat" feeling.

GAD affects as much as 5% of the U.S. population, and appears more common in women than men. Although, the average age of onset for GAD can vary considerable, 50% of sufferers will be afflicted by adolescence. GAD tends to be a chronic condition with a fluctuating course, unless treated properly. The cause of GAD is unknown, although many feel an underlying biological mechanism is involved.

Certain anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications have been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of GAD. Many feel that the best course of medication treatment for GAD would be more of an intermittent strategy versus a continuous long term use method. The medications themselves are rarely enough, and in most cases should be used in combination with therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in reducing GAD symptoms as well. This teaching model trains individuals in skills found to be effective in managing worry and anxiety, and may include worry monitoring, respiratory control (i.e., slow, controlled breathing), cognitive restructuring (i.e., identify and correct errors in thought), progressive deep muscle relaxation, and possibly invivo exposure (i.e., exposure to feared situations). Success rates of roughly 75% have been found using CBT methods. For some GAD sufferers the most effective and efficient form of treatment maybe the combination of medications and CBT.
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Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by a persistent fear of social or performance related situations in which embarrassment could occur. People with SAD experience so much social anxiety in these situations that they commonly avoid them, leading to interference in their daily lives. SAD can lead to high levels of academic and occupational impairment. Situations commonly feared or avoided by individuals with SAD include public speaking (the number one fear in the U.S.), conversations with others, interacting with authority figures, using the telephone, being introduced, reading aloud, participating in class, eating or drinking in front of others, writing in front of others, dating, and social events. SAD may also cause difficulty in using public restrooms due to paruresis or "shy bladder" (i.e., can not urinate while others present despite a strong urge to).

There are two subtypes of SAD. The first is called "specific". In specific SAD, individuals tend to be relatively comfortable in most social situations, but dread one or a limited number of them. "Generalized" SAD sufferers fear and avoid a wide range of social situations. Individuals with generalized SAD tend to have a greater level of interference caused by their condition.

SAD affects 13.5% of the U.S. population. It is unclear whether SAD affects more men than women. Research has shown it to be more common in women, however, clinically it may be more common in men. The average age of onset is roughly 15, however, signs of SAD maybe present even in toddlers. Due to these early warning signs many believe that SAD is caused by some, at the present, unknown biological abnormality. There is also evidence that this biological factor may be influenced by environmental factors.

SAD is also very treatable in most cases. Certain anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications have been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of SAD. These medications themselves are rarely enough, and in most cases should be used in combination with therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in reducing SAD symptoms as well. This teaching model trains individuals in skills found to be effective in managing social anxiety and avoidance behaviors. For SAD these skills may include social anxiety monitoring, respiratory control (i.e., slow, controlled breathing), cognitive restructuring (i.e., identify and correct errors in thought), and invivo exposure (i.e., exposure to feared situations). Social skills training may also be necessary. Success rates of roughly 75% have been found using these methods. For some SAD sufferers the most effective and efficient form of treatment may be a combination of medication and CBT.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can arise following the experiencing of a traumatic event. This event must have involved actual or threatened death or serious injury. In addition, the person experiencing this event must respond with intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Examples of events that commonly produce PTSD include combat, violent assault, kidnapping, torture, natural or man-made disasters, and serious car accidents.

The condition of PTSD is characterized by "re-experiencing" the event in one or more ways including; intrusive distressing recollections of the event, nightmares, flashbacks, and distress upon exposure to things that remind them of the event (which could lead to avoidance of these cues). PTSD also produces symptoms such as the loss of interest in significant aspects of their lives, feelings of detachment from others, a restriction in the range of emotions, and an inability to recall certain aspects of the event. Individuals with PTSD may also have difficulty sleeping, angry outbursts, difficulty concentrating, guilt feelings, and can be easily startled. The above mentioned symptoms have to persist for more than one month following the trauma.

The prevalence of PTSD varies depending on the geographic area from which the research data has been collected (i.e., certain areas have a higher rate of possible triggering events occurring in them). Some studies have found rates to be as high as 7.6% of the U.S. population. PTSD appears to affect men and women equally, and can develop at any age. Research has shown that approximately 50% of people with PTSD will spontaneously, completely recover (i.e., without treatment) within 3 months following the event. However, if the PTSD lingers it tends to be a chronic condition with a fluctuating course unless treated properly.

Certain anti-depressants have been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of PTSD, and effects appear to be maintained over time. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also helpful for PTSD. This teaching model trains individuals in skills found to be helpful in managing PTSD, and may include anxiety monitoring, respiratory control (i.e., slow, controlled breathing), progressive deep muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring (i.e., identify and correct errors in thought), and invivo and imaginal exposure (i.e., exposure to feared situations). In general, success rates of approximately 70% have been consistently found using CBT strategies. For many PTSD sufferers the most effective and efficient form of treatment may be a combination of medication and CBT.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a teaching model that trains individuals in skills that have been found through research to be effective in managing their problem areas. CBT has been applied to many types of psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, eating disorders). The application of CBT to anxiety disorders has arguably received the most attention, with many thought leaders in the field concluding that CBT is clearly the treatment of choice for anxiety disorders.

CBT is a school of thought encompassing many different types of skills for many different disorders. Even within the anxiety disorders, different diagnoses (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder versus panic disorder) may require learning different kinds of skills.

Due to the nature of CBT, treatment duration tends to be short relative to other types of therapy (e.g., psychoanalysis), but produces long lasting benefits (i.e., low relapse rates). Individuals are trained in user-friendly techniques that they take with them anywhere, anytime. A user’s ability to perform these skills continues to improve with use and time, therefore, producing sustaining effects. Overall, success rates for anxiety disorders using CBT have been found to be roughly 75%.

Apply for a Scholarship
Applying for a treatment scholarship from the Anxiety Disoders Foundation is simple. Please call us at 262-567-6600 to set up a telephone interview. This interview will determine the clinical and financial appropriateness of your application, and takes only about 30 minutes. Decisions are generally made within one week of your interview. You can also e-mail us at info@anxietydisordersfoundation.org or use the online contact form to set up an interview time. The interview will be conducted by Dr. Bradley C. Riemann, a nationally known expert in anxiety disorders and President of the Board of Directors of the Anxiety Disorders Foundation. All treatment will be conducted at our facility in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Due to the high demand for treatment scholarships, there may be a considerable delay between the time of your accepted application and when treatment starts.

Make a Contribution
The Anxiety Disorders Foundation can only continue to fulfill its mission through the generous financial support of its donors. The Anxiety Disorders Foundation is a 501 (C)(3) public charity. One hundred percent of all dollars donated have gone to direct funding of treatment scholarships, with no administrative costs. Please consider making a contribution in support of our cause. The need is great.

To make a tax deductible donation please send your check to:

Anxiety Disorders Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 560
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

If you have questions regarding making a contribution or the Anxiety Disorders Foundation please call us at 262-567-6600, e-mail us at info@anxietydisordersfoundation.org, or fill out the online contact form. Thank you for considering us for a financial gift.