Handling Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most distressing emotions that people feel. It describes a number of problems, including phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is also a word used to describe brief periods of nervousness or fear, normal feelings that everyone has when faced with difficult experiences.

Most people who are anxious are aware of the physical symptoms - sweaty palms, light-headedness, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, flushed cheeks and feeling jittery, to name a few. Many of these are the same as those experienced with depression, which is often linked to anxiety disorders.

A variety of events can contribute to anxiety. These can range from acute trauma, such as being in an automobile accident, physical or sexual abuse, to things that just seem to overwhelm us for no apparent reason, such as a job promotion or giving a presentation. All the physical, behavioral and thinking changes a person experiences when they are anxious are part of the "fight, fight or freeze" response in humans. These are a natural reaction to danger and the brain will naturally prepare the body for one of these responses by increasing the heart rate, speeding up breathing and increasing the flow of blood to muscles that are tensing up in preparation for a reaction. To fight or run fast, the body has to be prepared with an accelerated heart rate, plenty of oxygen and muscle tension. In order to freeze, the muscles need to be tense and rigid. All these physical responses are natural reactions to a threat.

Unfortunately, some people don't need life-threatening situations to experience these reactions; they experience them in everyday situations that others who don't suffer from anxiety disorder seem to breeze through without a second thought. Their anxiety response to being asked to give a presentation or travel to a meeting may be as great as if they were tottering on the edge of a cliff, about to go over.

The perception of threat varies from person to person. Because of their life experiences, some people may feel threatened very easily, and will often feel anxious. Other people may feel a greater sense of safety and security. Growing up in chaotic and volatile surroundings may lead a person to the conclusion that the world around them presents constant threats. In others, who have no apparent background in trauma, it's more difficult to understand why they experience anxiety about events that others find trivial. In any case, it is important to evaluate whether or not you are over-responding to danger and threat. Your cognition, or thoughts, may be the root of your anxiety; and in order to reduce anxiety, it is necessary to use your thoughts to open new and creative ways of responding to threats that cause anxiety.

Anxious thoughts are future oriented, usually with a prediction of catastrophe. Anxious thoughts usually begin with "What if..." and end with a disastrous outcome. "What if... I forget my notes?" "What if... the airplane crashes? "What if... my boss thinks I'm a fool every time I open my mouth?" These thoughts feed on themselves, spinning into endless catastrophic "what if" scenarios.

Most people are able to stop their panic attacks by identifying and altering the thoughts that accompany panic. In addition to intervention of these thought processes, many people find relaxation therapy for anxiety to be very helpful.

Most people experience feelings of anxiety of some kind or another at various times in their lives. They feel anxious about a big test, a presentation, or a first date. These are normal feelings and pass fairly quickly, once the precipitating event has been conquered.

Anxiety disorders, however, encompass a much more severe range of emotions and responses. They are chronic and unremitting and progressive over time, resulting in panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks to traumatic events, and even a wide spectrum of physical symptoms that are debilitating and interfere with the ability to function. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses in America, with an estimated 19 million affected, including children and adolescents.

Panic Disorder

Physical symptoms of panic disorder occur frequently and without warning. These include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and even vomiting. It is twice as common in women as in men and most often begins in young adults. While many people experience a panic attack at least once in their lifetime, some people develop full-blown panic disorder. They experience frequent panic attacks in which they are convinced they're about to die. The key thoughts in panic disorders are catastrophic interpretations of body or mental sensations. A rapid heartbeat may be misinterpreted as a heart attack. Being momentarily disoriented may be misinterpreted as going crazy. It is not uncommon for people with panic disorder to make frequent trips to the hospital emergency room, only to be told there is nothing physically wrong with them.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Stress and anxiety are closely tied together. The mental health community classifies PTSD as an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of PTSD are brought about by a traumatic event of any type, and can include traumatic events that a person watches on the television. There are many people who have suffered from PTSD as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks, even though they weren't directly involved and didn't know anyone directly involved; watching the events triggered a stress response. People with PTSD experience flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, and feelings of anger and irritability. They are easily distracted and have a hyperacute startle response.

Phobias

There are two types of phobias. Social phobia is an overwhelming and disabling fear of public scrutiny, and embarrassment and humiliation in social situations. It typically leads to avoidance of social situations and participation in activities that others find pleasurable. Specific phobias are fears of a person, place or thing that is out of proportion to the threat posed by the object. There are many common phobias, such as spiders, flying in airplanes, and clowns. I had a roommate who had a phobia about clowns; she became completely irrational when she saw one, and would avoid any situation where clowns might be present (the circus and the carnival, to name a few). My own personal phobia, which I completely own up to, is of wasps, even though I've never been stung by one. Spiders are another typical specific phobia. These fears can lead people to avoid situations or objects that are feared, or even to become dangerous (put me in a closed car with a wasp and I guaranty you it would be dangerous to myself and everyone else on the road!).

Generalized anxiety disorder

This is a constant, exaggerated pattern of worrisome thoughts and tension about routine situations and everyday activities, with a tendency to always expect the worst of a situation, even if there's no foundation for the expectation. It is accompanied by physical symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, muscle tension, trembling and headache. For a clinical diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, the symptoms must have persisted for 6 months or more.

Some anxiety disorders can be helped with relaxation techniques and other self-help. Others require psychotherapy and even medical treatment. Once you identify the problem, you can begin seeking treatment for it.

Anxiety affects more than 40 million people in the U.S. alone. With roughly over 18% of the population in the U.S. afflicted with this disorder, both the medical profession and alternative therapy professionals are actively seeking the means to better identify and treat this disorder.

Anxiety can rob a person of their confidence, happiness, and freedom. A person can feel trapped in an unending cycle of self-loathing and fear when dealing with an anxiety disorder. It is a personal and social disease that can only be cured with support and understanding.

When looking at the nature of anxiety, careful consideration must be paid toward the symptoms being presented. Unlike the diagnosing of other disorders, the widespread variations of anxiety depend heavily on the individual to become aware of their specific symptoms.

Knowing the specific behaviors and triggers can aid a person in making an accurate self-diagnosis. Treatment should not end with self-diagnosis and should not replace medical intervention.

Seeking medical attention can be especially challenging for those suffering from anxiety as they may believe that it is “all in their head” or that they will “get over it.” This can be a risky attitude to have and can be dangerous if the anxiety is left untreated.

Reluctant attitudes can develop if an individual does not have a support system willing to understand the complexity and seriousness of anxiety. Fortunately there are local and regional support groups that help those who do not have the personal means to cope with this disorder.

The ambiguous nature of anxiety can make the location of specific behavior patterns a necessity. Keeping track of when and how symptoms appear will aid an individual in defining their specific disorder.

Many are ashamed of their afflictions and will try to hide them to avoid social embarrassment. It is this fear of “being found out” that can cause many people to become anti-social and closed off. Without proper treatment anxiety can grow to overwhelm an individual until they are unable to cope with life.

Communicating fears and problems associated with anxiety will give a sense of reassurance that can boost confidence in seeking help. Breaking down self-imposed barriers can be difficult to do on one’s own and it is strongly advised that a support system be set in place before treatment can begin.

Anxiety disorders may come bundled together as two or more disorders. If left to their own devices an individual may develop other disorders over time. Finding help quickly is essential in successful treatment.

The information contained at this site is not to be substituted for medical advice. It is designed to help individuals identify anxiety disorders and seek treatment options.

Anxiety Affects The Lives Of Many

Anxiety is the result of fear or worry about something that is real or imagined.  People who suffer from anxiety could be apprehensive about something that they are sure is in their future, or they could be apprehensive about something that they think is about to happen.  Anxiety often affects the way these people react.  Fear or worry can result from an event that could have serious consequences, or relatively minor consequences, that the individual has experienced, come close to experiencing, or it can be that someone the individual knows and loves has experienced such an event.  Some individuals who suffer from anxiety are facing some disastrous event such as a plane crash, or they could have fear or apprehension about a relatively simple event such as a speech in front of a local business group. Some individuals even suffer anxiety about events that are remote to their experience or the experience of anyone they know and love; however, the thought of experiencing the event, however remote it may be, causes anxiety.

There are many professionals who have studied anxiety, including some famous people such as Dr. Sigmund Freud.  These professionals have studied the events that produce fear and apprehension in the lives of different people.  Professionals who study anxiety look for the root causes of the anxiety; they also look for solutions for those suffering from anxiety.  The professionals devoted to the study of anxiety have many insights into the causes of this condition.  They have also provided many insights into ways to cope with fear and apprehension.

Anxiety Can Be Controlled

Medical and psychiatric professionals who have studied anxiety and the effects of this condition on the lives of people who suffer from it have developed different methods for coping with fear and apprehension.  There are strategies that people can use to reduce or even eliminate the effects of fear or apprehension.  Although it is not always easy to do, people can learn to cope with these emotions so it does not limit their activities or lives.  A person terrified about a speech in front of a group can prepare for the speech with effective strategies to avoid the appearance of a terrified speaker.

Medical professionals devoted to the problems people suffer due to anxiety have also worked to develop other means to live with fear and apprehension.  There are pharmaceutical products that people can use to relieve their fears.  There are many different drugs available for relieving those affected by their fears, real or imagined.  The effects of fear and apprehension can be much different for different people so the use of any type of drug should be initiated and continued with the advice of a medical professional.  All people feel strong emotions when confronted with a stressful situation, but all people react in different ways.  The important thing for all people should be coping strategies to avoid adverse reactions to stressful events.

Contrary to popular belief, agoraphobia is not the fear of open places. To understand what it truly means to be agoraphobic, one must look at what anxiety disorder drives it and how it manifests in a sufferer.

Agoraphobia is actually the fear of being trapped in a place where there is no immediate escape or where escape might generate a degree of embarrassment. The constant flux of crowds in our modern society can create many places where there would seem to be no easy way out. A person who experiences agoraphobia avoids such situations (e.g., travel is restricted) or else they endure with significant distress or with anxiety about having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms. The burden of the agoraphobic becomes a life of isolation and fear and frequently, in order to be in situations where the phobia is heightened, they require a companion for emotional support.

Agoraphobia is generally not diagnosed if a panic disorder has previously been diagnosed, as the symptoms and treatment are similar. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) 6 million Americans suffer with panic disorder. This disorder affects women twice as much as men and is usually linked to depression in some degree.

Typical agoraphobia symptoms include:

• Inability to leave the house for long periods (housebound)
• Fear of being in crowded places, such as a shopping mall or sports stadium
• Fear of losing control in a public place
• Fear of being in places where it may be hard to get out of, such as an elevator or train
• Fear of being alone
• Sense of helplessness
• Overdependence on others
• A sense that your body is unreal

Panic disorder is the effect of people who experience erratic and unexplained panic attacks. These attacks can last for several minutes and are triggered by various events. For many being in crowded or noisy places can trigger a panic attack. The ADAA estimates that one in three people who suffer with panic disorder will develop agoraphobia.

Panic attacks come with symptoms that are quite disturbing. Many of them mimic heart attacks, with chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. There usually is an impending sense of doom and a heightened confusion resulting in the feelings of depersonalization. It is no wonder why anyone would want to avoid the possibility of a panic attack altogether.

Agoraphobia can develop when people are triggered by social situations or specific locations. If the fear of a panic attack is strong enough this can create a permanent and irrepressible desire to create a safe zone. For the agoraphobic this safe zone will get smaller as new panic attacks occur, creating the need to further close off from the outside.

Some agorophobes express symptoms initially by cordoning off "safe" routes to specific locations, a specific path to the mailbox, or down to the corner market. They will not deviate from this route for fear of triggering another panic attack. The prospect of shutting out the outside world is a dangerous temptation for the agoraphobic.

Those who live with agoraphobia are vigilant in their guard against being vulnerable. This can mean only disaster for the sufferer as their interaction with society shrinks from their neighborhood, to their house, and ultimately to a single room. Many agoraphobics become bed-ridden as they completely lose touch with reality.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is the second highest occurring disorder in the U.S. today. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America estimates that over 15 million suffer with the affliction accounting for 6.8% of total reported cases overall. More than 36% of those who suffer from it report experiencing symptoms for 10 years or more before seeking help.

SAD affects men and women equally and can usually be traced to early childhood or adolescence. Social anxiety disorder in children presents itself as clinginess and excessive tantrums especially in social situations. It is reported that the most extreme cases of childhood SAD are prone to mutism.

In today’s highly interactive society a disease like social anxiety disorder may be seen as “rudeness” or social ineptness. SAD is more profound then a simple case of shyness. Understanding the cause and effect relationships that exist in people who are suffering with SAD paints a picture of isolation, desperation, and hopelessness.

Social anxiety disorder is marked by an inexplicable fear that is extremely intense. This unexplainable dread is triggered by social situations where the sufferer worries about scrutiny from outsiders. It is this fear of judgment that drives the disorder, and can cause an individual to avoid activities that involve others.

Everyday interactions that many would find commonplace or mundane take on a completely new sense of foreboding for those who are afflicted with SAD. Ordering food from a restaurant, walking through a crowded room, or even making a phone call can become an overwhelming obstacle that leaves the sufferer completely terrorized.

Those who are afflicted with social anxiety disorder are aware of their fear and its extremity but feel completely powerless against it. They simply can not fathom living life out in the open. Individuals struggling with SAD are paralyzed by the thought that they may make a spectacle of themselves in a public setting.

SAD touches every aspect of life for those who are afflicted. Individuals who have SAD will try to avoid any situation where they feel they may be observed, and this can keep them from enjoying many of life’s pivotal moments. Imagine not walking in a graduation ceremony because of the inexplicable fear about being noticed. Friendships can be a harrowing experience for SAD sufferers and may pose hardship.

Along with the psychological symptoms of SAD there are common physical symptoms as well. Sweating, headaches, and nausea or some of the more obvious signs during an anxiety attack. Panic attacks are quite common for those suffering with social anxiety disorder and can add to the insurmountable fear of being in the public eye.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) estimates that 6.8 million people suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the U.S. alone. Women find themselves twice as likely to suffer from the disorder then men, and it usually combines with other disorders to create an umbrella effect over a persons daily activities.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a “double-whammy” of sorts as it effects the physical and psychological well-being of sufferers. Because many of the symptoms can be attributed to stress and other outside factors GAD can be overlooked.

The general characteristics of GAD center on the persistent and obsessive onset of worry in an individual. Those afflicted with the disorder simply can not tune out the impulse to worry over every detail in their daily lives.

GAD is a serious disorder that can cause great distress in everyday life. The excessive worrying can last all day and go on throughout the night, causing insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. GAD can rob the sufferer of their ability to cope with their jobs, social, and personal obligations.

It is this constant need to worry can span over months and take its toll on the individual, causing them to manifest the negative feelings in the form of physical ailments. Coupled with the enormous amount of mental trauma that can accompany GAD the disorder can simply shut the sufferer down completely, making them lethargic and unable to deal with even the simplest of life’s demands.

Physical symptoms are the first indicators of generalized anxiety disorder as they tend to plague the individual on a daily basis. Keeping a watchful eye of physical symptoms along with psychological ones can help determine if a person is suffering from GAD. Physical symptoms of GAD include (but are not limited to):

• muscle tension
• fatigue
• restlessness
• difficulty sleeping
• irritability
• edginess
• gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea)

Muscle tension, and fatigue are ailments that can be overlooked by outsiders. Restlessness and difficulty sleeping are symptoms that many attribute to stress and may not be taken into consideration. Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea can be chalked up to a cold or flu.

Psychological symptoms can be tricky to diagnose because they can be dismissed for routine stressors. Irritability, moodiness, and depression can result from the deluge of negative emotions linked to such extreme worrying.

When dealing with generalized anxiety disorder it is important to recognize a combination of symptoms and how they are manifested in an individual. Sharing any and all information with your doctor can give a broader view of what be present and allow for effective treatment. For information on anxiety, visit Anxiety Disorders Association of America.