bobbibrowneyes's Journal

ANXIETY DISORDERS
Prevalence:
In the U.S., anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem for
women and are the second most common mental health problem for men. In any
given year, about 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from an anxiety
disorders. Dr. Edmond Bourne in The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (1995) states
that anxiety disorders result from cumulative stress over time. He points out
that persons living in the U.S. are presently experiencing more stress than
they ever have before. The high levels of stress he attributes to the
unprecedented rapid pace of change in our society and because our society lacks
consistent, universal values and norms. The recent increased threat of terrorist
attack is another contributing factor to the high rate of anxiety disorders
in the U.S. He believes that anxiety disorders are the result of our
inability to cope with all the stress we experience.
What is anxiety, and what are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety is usually a reaction to a vague, distant or even undetermined
danger. Anxiety is an inevitable aspect of everyday life and can serve as a
motivator. According to Dr. Bourne, anxiety disorders differ from anxiety in the
following respects: (a) they are more intense, (b) they last longer, and (c)
they usually produce phobias which interfere with your life.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Panic Disorder:
It consists of sudden occurrences of intense apprehension or fear that
appear to occur without any known cause. People who experience panic attacks
experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, dizziness,
trembling or shaking, a feeling like they are choking, sweating, etc.
Agoraphobia:
It is the fear of having a panic attack in a place where escape might be
difficult or embarrassing, or in a place where help may not be available.
Agoraphobics usually avoid places such as grocery, department stores, tunnels, and
bridges, public transportation, and being home alone.

Agoraphobia Without A History of Panic Disorder:
The difference between Agoraphobia Without a History of Panic Disorder and
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is that it causes a person to avoid situations
and places because of fear of being incapacitated or humiliated because of
the occurrence of sudden panic like symptoms rather than from a fear of having
a full blown panic attack. Panic like symptoms include dizziness, diarrhea,
difficulty breathing, etc.
Social Phobia:
It is a fear of embarrassment or humiliation because of concerns about being
observed by others or how others will perceive your performance. Social
phobias may include fear of public speaking, blushing in public, fear of choking
on or spilling food in public, being watched at work, using public toilets,
writing or signing documents in public, and crowds.

Specific Phobia:
Specific Phobia is a strong unreasonable fear and/or avoidance of a specific
object or situation that may precipitate a panic attack. Some of the most
common specific phobias are phobias of animals, heights, elevators, airplanes,
elevators, enclosed places, storms, blood, injections, and injuries.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and
worry. The person suffering from it finds it difficult to control the worry, and
he or she has three or more of the following symptoms: (1) restlessness or
feeling keyed up or on edge, (2) being easily fatigued, (3) difficulty
concentrating or his or her mind going blank, (4) irritability, (5) muscle tension,
and (6) sleep difficulties.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that
are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate and cause intense anxiety or
distress. Common examples of obsessions include images of violence, hurting
someone, a fear of leaving the lights or stove on, or a door unlocked.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels
compelled to do in response to an obsession. Some examples of repetitive
behaviors are hand washing and checking doors. Examples of compulsive mental acts
include praying, counting, and repeating words silently.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder occurs when a person has been exposed to a
traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Examples
include earthquakes, tornadoes, car or plane crashes, rape and other violent
crimes.
Acute Stress Disorder:
Acute Stress Disorder is similar to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It too is
caused by a traumatic event that generates intense fear, helplessness, or
horror. The primary difference is that it does not last longer than four weeks
while Posttraumatic Stress Disorder persists for more than four months.
Anxiety Disorder Due to A General Medical Condition:
This disorder occurs when a specific medical condition produces anxiety such
as a thyroid condition or congestive heart failure.
Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder:
It occurs when a prescribed or illegal drug or a toxin causes panic attacks
or generalized anxiety. The anxiety may be a product of exposure or
withdrawal from the drug or toxin.
THE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Dr. Edmund Bourne in The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook states that to
effectively treat anxiety disorders they must be treated with a comprehensive
approach that treats them simultaneously at many different levels. He recommends the
following approach:
1. Physical Level: At the physical level, anxiety disorders can be
the result of such factors as physiological imbalances in the brain and body,
shallow breathing, muscle tension, bodily effects of cumulative stress, and
nutritional and dietary factors. The physical causes of anxiety can be
addressed by breathing techniques, learning relaxation techniques, aerobic exercise,
and dietary change. In certain circumstances, medication can also be
helpful.
2. Emotional Level: Suppressed feelings, especially anger, play a
major role in creating and maintaining anxiety disorders. Learning how to
recognize the symptoms of suppressed feelings, to identify the suppressed
feelings, and to express them helps to alleviate anxiety disorders.
3. Behavioral Level: Phobias often exist because people avoid
confronting situations that they fear. Imagery desensitization (i.e., confronting
your fears in your imagination) and real-life desensitization (i.e.,
confronting your fears in real life) helps a person to confront their fears in small,
manageable steps. Additionally, certain behavioral techniques such as
talking to another person, distracting your mind, abdominal breathing, etc. can
help a person to manage and overcome panic attacks.
4. Mental Level: People who have anxiety disorders tend to engage in
negative self-talk and have mistaken beliefs about themselves, others, the
world, and the future that help cause and maintain their anxiety disorders.
Learning to alter negative self-talk and identify and replace mistaken beliefs
helps to alleviate anxiety disorders.
5. Interpersonal Level: People who cannot communicate their real
feelings and needs to others and set appropriate boundaries and limits with
others tend to have anxiety disorders. Learning to be assertive and to set
appropriate boundaries with others are important steps in overcoming an anxiety
disorders.
6. Whole Self Level (Self-Esteem): Low self-esteem is one of the
primary causes of anxiety disorders. Accordingly, learning how to increase your
self-esteem is very helpful in treating an anxiety disorder.
7. Existential and Spiritual Level: Finding a broad purpose or
direction to your life can be an important factor in overcoming anxiety disorders.
Sometimes this involves finding a career or activities that fit your true
values and interests or developing spiritual beliefs.
Psychotherapy can help you to treat your anxiety disorder with a
comprehensive approach that attacks it simultaneously at many different levels. There
are also support groups for people with anxiety disorder. Finally, if you have
an anxiety disorder, you should consult a physician to rule out possible
physical causes for the anxiety disorder.