Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Anxiety- a state of uneasiness that occurs in response to an imagined danger Differs from fear, which is a response to a real threat Characterized by nervousness, inability to relax and concern about losing control Physical signs and symptoms of anxiety include trembling, sweating, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, feeling of light headedness. Everyone experiences moments of anxiety, but those with a disorder feel anxious all or most of the time.

Phobic Disorders Phobia- persistent excessive fear of a particular object or situation. Phobia is the most common anxiety disorder. The most common phobias are: zoophobia- fear of animals; claustrophobia- fear of enclosed spaces; acrophobia-fear of heights; arachnophobia- fear of spiders

Panic Disorder People with panic disorder have recurring and unexpected panic attacks Panic Attack- a relatively short period of intense fear or discomfort Shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid heart rate, sweating, choking, and nausea Could last from a few minutes to a few hours People having one may believe they are dying or going crazy

Agoraphobia Many with a panic disorder also have agoraphobia Agoraphobia- a fear of being in places or situations in which escape may be difficult or impossible Scared of crowded public places Leads to avoidance behaviors. Can range from avoiding crowded places to never leaving home

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, ideas, or mental images that occur over and over The majority of people with obsessions also practice compulsions, aka repetitive behaviors People who experience obsessions are usually aware the obsessions are unjustified. This distinguishes obsessions from delusions.

Stress Disorders Includes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) Both have similar symptoms, but the key difference is ASD will last only up to a month. PTSD could last for much longer. Many people with ASD eventually have PTSD PTSD- intense, persistent feelings of anxiety that are caused by an experience that would produce stress in almost anyone. Experiences that may produce PTSD include rape, child abuse, assault, natural disasters, and war atrocities. People may exhibit: flashbacks of trauma, nightmares about trauma, numbness of feelings, avoidance of anything associated with the trauma

Questions How does anxiety differ from fear? Describe a phobia that you believe you have. Why do you think you have this phobia? What is the difference between panic disorder and agoraphobia? How might someone living with agoraphobia be affected by the disorder? What is the key difference between ASD and PTSD? Try to imagine what life is like for a person who suffers from one of the anxiety disorders that we covered today. Write a short journal entry about how the disorder affects tasks and events of daily life.

Phobias Writing We all have fears in life, or at least things or places that make us very uncomfortable. In a three-paragraph essay, explain your fears in detail: what are your three biggest fears, how long have you had these fears, how do you think the fear began and do you expect to overcome these fears and if so, how?