Linsey Utzinger, Ph.D. will be the General Meeting Speaker for Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
Her topic will be on Anxiety Disorders.
Dr. Linsey Utzinger is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with eating disorders.
In her talk, Dr. Utzinger will review different types of anxiety disorders, focusing on identification and treatment. In addition, she will discuss disorders that commonly co-occur with anxiety disorders, including eating disorders.
Join us in the auditorium of Good Samaritan Hospital (basement of the main building) at 7:30 P.M. for an informational meeting followed by the presentation and Q&A from 8-9 P.M.NOTE: Good Samaritan Hospital is located at 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose. You can find directions at www.maps.yahoo.com.
(March 2017 Newsletter Write-Up) Dr. Linsey Utzinger is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and Chairperson of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She specializes in eating disorders but deals with other types of anxiety problems that can occur.
Dr. Utzinger noted that it is important to distinguish between normal anxiety and abnormal behavior. Abnormal behavior is very difficult to control and gets in the way of everyday life. A person overthinks everything and has many fears; for example, you may constantly check your front door or worry, did I forget to turn off the oven? You may be paranoid and overly cautious. You may feel nervous, overanxious, worried, stressed, on edge or always doubting yourself. And you may feel you are not good enough.
You can develop maladaptive practices, such as overeating or undereating, seeking isolation, trying to escape, and so on. Everyone has anxiety to a normal degree, but when it is maladaptive it impairs one’s ability to work, take responsibility at home or in daily life, as well as in relationships.
The etiology of anxiety is thought to be multifaceted. Some people suffer from genetic vulnerabilities; others suffer because of past trauma or stress. Approximately 25% of adults in the U.S. have a mental illness in their lifetime. Anxiety and depression are the most common forms, with nearly 40 million adults suffering and twice as many women as men, with the incidence being more common in those under age 35. The majority of individuals have at least one other diagnosable mental illness at some point in their lives. It is important that the person undergo a psychiatric or psychological diagnostic evaluation to help in coping. Treatment can consist of psychotherapy, medication, mindfulness and/or exercise.
Untreated anxiety disorders can cause significant personal and social costs, loss of work and frequent medical visits. Dr. Utzinger can be reached at lutzinger@stanford.edu.
