Anxiety Disorder BY: MADISON MELSONER AND ERVING PENA

Anxiety: The True Story Unless you know someone personally, talking about Anxiety, the effects it has on ones life, and how they have reached out for treatment, can be a very intimate conversation many are uncomfortable having. My team and I have decided that given the opportunity to have someone in our team that knows first hand what it is like to live with GAD, it would also be a great opportunity for the class to have any questions answered. Please show the up-most respect as our fellow peer shares her experience, as well as some facts. We want to use this presentation so that individuals know that it’s okay to be someone living with anxiety disorders, and that they just have to find the coping mechanisms for it. Thank you

Background  My name is Madi Melsoner, I’m a twenty year old student at Salt Lake Community College working on getting my generals done before transferring to Utah State to pursue my major in Wildlife Sciences. It was after I started high school that I realized I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  I began to stress over unimportant things, and experience panic attacks. If one of my friends accidentally ignored me or something, I would break down thinking they didn’t actually like me, and I would just keep telling myself that over and over again even if it wasn’t true.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

What people think they know MANY PEOPLE HEAR THE WORD “ANXIETY,” AND MISCONCEPTIONS COME TO MIND. ACCORDING TO REACHOUT.COM THESE ARE THE MOST COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ANXIETY. 1. ANXIETY IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF LIFE. 2. AVOIDING ANXIETY-PROVOKING SITUATIONS IS HELPFUL 3. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO GET ANXIETY ARE JUST NATURALLY NERVOUS ANYWAY 4. IF YOU'RE HAVING PANIC ATTACKS, JUST GET USED TO IT. 5. CARRYING AROUND A BROWN PAPER BAG THAT YOU CAN HYPERVENTILATE INTO HELPS 6. SOMEONE WITH ANXIETY JUST NEEDS A STIFF DRINK AND THEY’LL BE RIGHT 7. PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANXIETY JUST NEED TO RELAX 8. IT CAN TAKE A LIFETIME TO SEE RESULTS FROM TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY

WHY WE FEEL ANXIETY ANXIETY IS INNATE. EACH ONE OF US IS BORN, ABLE TO EXPERIENCE ANXIETY SURVIVAL. IT KEEPS US PREPARE FOR DANGERS THAT ARE VERY REAL OR MIGHT POTENTIALLY BECOME REAL TIMES HAVE CHANGED. WE EXPERIENCE MORE STRESS AND PRESSURES CONTINUOUSLY.

The Struggle  Some of the things I deal with include crippling self doubt, restlessness or being on edge, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance.  I also have to deal with the stigma that mental illnesses aren’t “real illnesses”. I constantly get told “You’re fine. It’s all in your mind, nothing is wrong.” or “Why are you freaking out about nothing?”  One of my big triggers is being yelled or snapped at. I’ll usually go into a panic attack and even after spend the rest of the day thinking about the incident.  If I’m not at least 10 minutes early to everything, I get irritable because I think ill be late which stresses me out even more.

Symptoms and other issues that can come with Anxiety How to recognize Anxiety Tense muscles Trembling Churning stomach Nausea Diarrhea Headache Backache Heart palpitations Numbness or “pins and needles” in arms, hands or legs Sweating/flushing Types of Anxiety Disorders Panic Phobias Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Social Anxiety Disorder Related Conditions Depression Substance abuse ADHD Eating disorders Trouble Sleeping php

Understanding the Facts Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an excessive worrying about problems that occur everyday for more than six months. This worry can consist of concerns of financial well being, health issues, work, and even relationships. The person suffering from GAD knows that there is an unwarranted emphasis placed on their concerns. eralized-anxiety-disorder-among-adults.shtml

Home Environment  My family is partially aware that I have GAD, though not to a full extent so sometimes they may do things that trigger an anxiety attack. We are working on getting better about avoiding triggers, but its hard sometimes.  My parents are partially to blame for the extent of my anxiety. I was raised to strive for perfection in everything, so when I fall short it hits me hard.

Types of Treatment Make sure to speak with a professional Self-Treatment Learn to manage stress Learn a variety of relaxation techniques Practice deep abdominal breathing Learn to replace “Negative self talk” with “coping self talk” Picture yourself successfully facing and conquering a specific fear Talk with a person who is supportive Meditate Exercise Take a long, warm bath Rest in a dark room Counseling Cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) Psychotherapy Combination of therapies Medications Diazepam (valium) Alprazolam (Xanax) Lorazepam (Avtivan) Clonazepam (Klonopin) Reducing Anxiety Reducing caffeine, tea, cola, and chocolate consumption. Checking with a doctor or pharmacist before using over- the-counter or herbal remedies Exercising regularly Eating healthy food keeping a regular sleep pattern Seeking counseling and support after a traumatic or disturbing experience Avoiding alcohol, cannabis

How I Cope  Some of the ways I have found that help me cope are to count down from 10 slowly if I feel an attack coming on, or to find things in the room that I can touch, see, hear and smell and it helps ground me.  I am not currently on medication, though I may get some soon to help.  Some other things I do are try to not take things so personally, even though its hard sometimes. I also do my best to try to avoid triggers at all costs.

Why is awareness and understanding important  Understanding the seriousness of GAD is important because knowing when someone might be suffering can help them be aware that there are options for treatment. Being supportive goes a long way. The last thing you want to do is make someone feel ashamed to seek help

Audience Questions Do you know anyone with anxiety? If so, how much do you understand of their condition?

Work Cited Anxiety & Behavioral Health clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from Kessler, R., Chiu, W., & Walters, E. (n.d.). Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Adults. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from among-adults.shtml Medical New Today. (n.d.). Treatments for Anxiety. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from Nordqvist, C. (2014, September 8). What is anxiety? What causes anxiety? Retrieved February 27, 2016, from ReachOut Crew, S. (2015, August 12). 8 myths about anxiety, destroyed. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from Understanding the Facts of Anxiety Disorders and Depression is the First Step. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from