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Anxiety Disorders Everyone feels anxious and under stress from time to time. Situations such as meeting tight deadlines, important social obligations or driving in heavy traffic, often bring about anxious feelings. Such mild anxiety may help make you alert and focused on facing threatening or challenging circumstances. On the other hand, anxiety disorders cause severe distress over a period of time and disrupt the lives of individuals suffering from them. The frequency and intensity of anxiety involved in these disorders if often debilitating. But fortunately, with proven and effective treatment, people suffering from anxiety disorders can lead normal lives. Types of Anxiety Disorders There are several major types of anxiety disorders, each with its own characteristics. People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder have recurring fears or worries as well as a persistent sense that something bad is about to happen. The fears and worries seem very real and often keep individuals from concentrating on daily tasks. Panic Disorder involves sudden, intense and unprovoked feelings of terror and dread. People who suffer from this disorder generally develop strong fears about when and where their next panic attack will occur, resulting in the restriction of their activities. Phobias are intense fears about certain objects or situations like snakes or flying. Social phobias include fear of social setting or public places. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder is characterized by persistent, uncontrollable and unwanted feelings or thoughts (obsessions) and routines or rituals in which people engage to try to prevent or rid themselves of these thoughts (compulsions). Common compulsions include excessively washing hands to rid them of germs and repeatedly checking over something for errors. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is often experienced by those involved in a major disaster, serious accident or crime. Reminders of the event seriously affect thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart beats, trembling and dizziness often accompany panic and generalized anxiety disorder. Importance of Seeking
Treatment If left untreated, anxiety disorders can have severe consequences. When people suffering from panic attacks avoid situations that may trigger an attack, they may create problems with jobs, families or other activities or daily living. Many people who suffer from an untreated anxiety disorder are prone to other psychological disorders like depression. They are at greater risk to abuse alcohol and other drugs. Relationships with family, friends and co-workers may suffer. Job performance may falter. Effective Treatments Most cases of anxiety disorder can be treated successfully. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health demonstrated that both behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy could be effective. Behavioral Therapy involves using techniques to reduce of stop the undesired behavior associated with these disorders. One approach involves training patients in relaxation and deep breathing techniques to counteract agitation and the rapid shallow breathing (Hyperventilation) that accompanies certain anxiety disorders. Through Cognitive Therapy, patients learn to understand how their thoughts contribute to the symptoms of anxiety disorders and how to change their thought patters. Patients also learn behavioral techniques that help them confront and tolerate fearful situations in a controlled and safe environment. In cases where medication is used along with therapy, the patient's care may be managed collaboratively by a therapist and the prescribing physician. Treatment needs to be tailored to the needs of the patient and the type of disorder. The therapist and patient work together to assess whether a treatment plan is on track. The prospects for long-term recovery for most individuals who seek professional help are very good. An experienced therapist can help patients regain control of their feelings and thoughts . . . and their lives. Taken from the
Fall 1999 issue of "RDC Center On You," |
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