Freedom from Fear (organization)

Freedom From Fear specializes in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders. While anxiety is a common experience of everyday life, mental health professionals deal with anxiety that is excessive and interferes with daily life. Clinicians recognize about 12 relatively distinct subtypes of anxiety disorder: Panic Disorder, with and without Agoraphobia, Agoraphobia Without a History of Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Anxiety Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition, Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. The prevalence of these disorders is startling. In any given year, approximately 40 million adults in the United States will suffer from an anxiety disorder which is 18% of the adult population. The causes of anxiety disorders are a cross between nature and nurture. Several areas of the brain such as the amygdala and the hippocampus are impaired which leads to an increased fear response. How individuals respond to their environment and how the environment responds to them are also play a role in the development of anxiety disorders. Studies are researching the impact of stress, life changes, social factors and other influences on the development of anxiety disorders.

Freedom From Fear also specializes in the treatment of Depression. Depression affects approximately 20 million adult Americans causing them to have symptoms such as hopelessness, sleep problems and feelings of being "down" and "blue". Depression is a chronic condition that impairs individuals in getting the most out of their daily lives. In depression, neural circuits responsible for the regulation of moods, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior fail to function properly. Critical neurotransmitters-chemicals used by nerve cells to communicate-are also out of balance. A combination of genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors are involved in the onset of a depressive disorder.

Freedom's Way is a group of programs that were developed and organized by Freedom From Fear. All of these programs are focused on children and adolescence who are suffering from different mental health conditions. Freedom From Fear understands that early intervention plays a key role in a successful recovery. Early intervention also sets up the road to a more successful adulthood.

• Anxiety and Depressive Illness Center at Freedoasdfm From Fear- This program specializes in the treatment of children and adolescence who suffer from a variety of different mental health concerns. Some of the mental health illnesses that children/adolescence suffer from are anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and so forth. The program is under the direction of a licensed child psychiatrist (M.D) as well as licensed mental health professionals. These mental health professionals include social workers and licensed mental health counselors
• Early Beginnings for Life Long Mental Health- The program teaches parents appropriate skills to help their children who are suffering from anxiety and depressive illnesses.
• The Freedom’s Way Summer Program- The program is designed to offer a variety of fun activities such as sports, arts and crafts, music and drama. Children will also receive daily sessions in age appropriate Emotional Management Training (EMT). These sessions are conducted by mental health professionals who have experience and training in working with children. EMT is focused on concrete behavioral elements that have been proven to effectively treat children who suffer from anxiety and depression.