What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to a stressful or dangerous situation. The body reacts to a situation with a racing heart, sweaty palms & shortness of breath. For those with an anxiety disorder, this reaction is more intense, occurs frequently & can last hours or even days. Individuals with anxiety disorders tend to avoid anxiety-provoking situations, & often have difficulty with relationships, school and work performance, social activities and recreation.
How prevalent are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders affect approximately 12% of the population, making it the most common mental illness. For a variety of reasons, some individuals may not seek treatment for their anxiety, even though it can be effectively treated through many different options.
What are the risk factors/triggers for anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders can be the result of a number of factors including genetics (children of adults with an anxiety disorder have a higher risk of developing one), psychological (individual has a tendency to overestimate danger) and experiences (e.g. an embarrassing moment or a traumatic event).
Anxiety may co-exist with depression or bipolar disorder & make coping more difficult. It is important that symptoms of anxiety & a mood disorder be treated.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterized by excessive & uncontrollable anxiety & worry about events or activities, experienced most days for a period of at least six months, with associated physical symptoms such as irritability & sleep disturbance.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This is characterized by flashbacks, re-experiencing, persistent avoidance of people & places that remind one of the event, & increased arousal, such as difficulty concentrating, anger & jumpiness in response to the terrifying experience in which physical harm occurred or was threatened in.
Social Phobia
Individuals experience excessive fear in social situations where they believe they are going to be judged negatively or make a fool of themselves, & which interferes with relationships, work & school performance.
Panic Disorder
Individuals have repeated panic attacks (with physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating & trembling) along with avoidance of places & situations that caused the anxiety.
Specific Phobia
Individuals may experience only a specific phobia, such as a fear of flying, a fear of spiders, a fear of escalators, and so on, without the anxiety translating into other facets of their lives.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to a stressful or dangerous situation. The body reacts to a situation with a racing heart, sweaty palms & shortness of breath. For those with an anxiety disorder, this reaction is more intense, occurs frequently & can last hours or even days.
Individuals with anxiety disorders tend to avoid anxiety-provoking situations, & often have difficulty with relationships, school and work performance, social activities and recreation.
How prevalent are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders affect approximately 12% of the population, making it the most common mental illness. For a variety of reasons, some individuals may not seek treatment for their anxiety, even though it can be effectively treated through many different options.
What are the risk factors/triggers for anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders can be the result of a number of factors including genetics (children of adults with an anxiety disorder have a higher risk of developing one), psychological (individual has a tendency to overestimate danger) and experiences (e.g. an embarrassing moment or a traumatic event).
Anxiety may co-exist with depression or bipolar disorder & make coping more difficult. It is important that symptoms of anxiety & a mood disorder be treated.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterized by excessive & uncontrollable anxiety & worry about events or activities, experienced most days for a period of at least six months, with associated physical symptoms such as irritability & sleep disturbance.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This is characterized by flashbacks, re-experiencing, persistent avoidance of people & places that remind one of the event, & increased arousal, such as difficulty concentrating, anger & jumpiness in response to the terrifying experience in which physical harm occurred or was threatened in.
Social Phobia
Individuals experience excessive fear in social situations where they believe they are going to be judged negatively or make a fool of themselves, & which interferes with relationships, work & school performance.
Panic Disorder
Individuals have repeated panic attacks (with physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating & trembling) along with avoidance of places & situations that caused the anxiety.
Specific Phobia
Individuals may experience only a specific phobia, such as a fear of flying, a fear of spiders, a fear of escalators, and so on, without the anxiety translating into other facets of their lives.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are uninvited, intrusive thoughts, such as concerns or doubting, that are time-consuming & cause distress. Compulsions are behaviours or rituals that are followed to try to reduce obsessive thoughts, e.g. handwashing or checking.
What are the treatment options for anxiety disorders?
The most common forms of treatment for anxiety disorders include medication, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or a combination of the two, along with exposure therapy. Individuals can almost always be treated without being admitted to a hospital.
CBT is a problem-focused treatment that allows the individual to change unproductive thought patterns & gain control over unwanted behaviours. It may also be worth exploring relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Additional treatments, such as massage, mindfulness meditation, shiatsu, therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, tai chi, pilates & yoga, can also help to improve wellness.
Exposure therapy, also known as desensitization treatment, is a systematic process wherein an individual with a fear or phobia is taught relaxation techniques & is then gradually exposed to the object of fear until it can be tolerated. Over time, the fear response is extinguished.
Medications may also be given, and typically include antidepressants such as SSRIs (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors) & benzodiazepines. Don’t give up if one drug treatment fails, another may prove to be effective, even a drug of a similar type. Drug combinations may be tried if a single drug does not provide relief. Because some anxiety disorders are chronic, drug therapy may be needed for prolonged periods, even years.
What are the things I need to do to get well?
- Stick to your treatment plan. Don’t skip psychotherapy sessions. Even if you’re feeling well, continue to take medication as prescribed.
- Learn about anxiety disorders. Empower yourself by learning about your condition.
- Pay attention to the warning signs. Find out what triggers your anxiety. Make a plan so that you know what to do if your symptoms get worse. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes. Ask friends or family to watch out for warning signs.
- Get exercise. Physical activity may help reduce anxiety. Consider walking, jogging, swimming, gardening, or any other physical activity.
- Maintain an adequate diet. Suggestions include more protein & Omega 3 and fewer simple carbohydrates.
- Avoid alcohol & illicit drugs. It may seem like they lessen your worries but in the long run they generally make it worse & make your condition harder to treat.
- Get plenty of sleep. This is especially important. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your therapist about what you can do.
- Peer support groups and other support programs may also be helpful.
For support & advice contact eapassist.com.au