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SOME ANXIETY DISORDERS:
The information
below is from the
Anxiety Disorders Association of America website.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDERS
Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is
characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic
worry about everyday things. This worry occurs on more days
than not for at least six months. People with GAD feel that
worrying is beyond their control and they are powerless to
stop it. When there is no reason for concern, people with
GAD often expect the worst. Unrelenting worry is often about
health, family, money, or work, and it can interfere with
all aspects of a person's life.
Symptoms of GAD:
- muscle tension
- fatigue
- restlessness
- difficulty sleeping
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- irritability
- edginess
- gastrointestinal
discomfort or diarrhea
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To take a self-test for GAD,
click here.
For information about treatment,
click here
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SOCIAL ANXIETY
DISORDER (SOCIAL PHOBIA)
Social anxiety
disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is
characterized by an intense fear of being scrutinized
and negatively evaluated by others in social or
performance situations. Some people with SAD literally
feel sick from fear in seemingly non-threatening
situations, such as ordering food in a restaurant,
signing their name in public, or making a phone call.
Although they recognize that the fear is excessive and
unreasonable, people with SAD feel powerless against
their anxiety. They are terrified they will behave in a
way that will embarrass or humiliate them. Their anxiety
can interfere significantly with daily routines,
occupational performance, or social life. It can make it
difficult to complete school, interview for and obtain
jobs, and create and maintain friendships and romantic
partnerships.
Physical symptoms of SAD include the following:
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blushing
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sweating
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trembling
-
nausea
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rapid heartbeat
-
dizziness
-
headaches
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SAD is often
selective. Some people may have an intense fear of
particular social interactions such as making a
phone call or talking to a salesperson, or a
performance circumstance such as giving a speech,
but they may be perfectly comfortable in other
similar settings. Others may become anxious during
routine activities in which their performance might
be observed, such as starting a conversation with a
stranger or a person in authority, participating in
meetings or classes, or dating and attending
parties.
Social
anxiety disorder usually begins in childhood or
adolescence. Children with SAD are prone to clinging
behavior, tantrums, and even mutism (see
Children & Adolescents).
To take a self-test for SAD,
click here.
For information on treatment,
click here.
To download a social
anxiety disorder brochure,
click here.
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PHOBIAS
These are unrealistic fears of
certain objects or situations. Examples: Simple phobias, such as fear of
snakes; Social phobias, such as fear of meeting new people; and Agoraphobia,
such as being afraid to go outside alone.
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PANIC DISORDER
Panic disorder is
diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous, seemingly
out-of-the-blue panic attacks, and are preoccupied with the
fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks occur
unexpectedly, sometimes even during sleep.
A panic attack is defined as the abrupt onset of intense
fear that reaches a peak within a few minutes and includes
at least four of the following symptoms:
- a feeling of
imminent danger or doom
- the need to escape
- heart palpitations
- sweating
- trembling
- shortness of breath
or
a smothering feeling
- a feeling of choking
- chest pain or
discomfort
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- nausea or abdominal
discomfort
- dizziness or
lightheadedness
- a sense of things
being unreal, depersonalization
- a fear of losing
control or "going crazy"
- a fear of dying
- tingling sensation
- chills or heat flush
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Since many of the
symptoms of panic disorder mimic those of illnesses such as
heart disease, thyroid problems, and breathing disorders,
people with panic disorder often make many visits to
emergency rooms or doctors' offices, convinced they have a
life-threatening illness. It often takes months or years and
a great deal of frustration before receiving the correct
diagnosis.
Panic disorder typically
develops in early adulthood. It is three times more common
in women than in men. Many people don't know that their
disorder is real and highly responsive to treatment. Some
are afraid or embarrassed to tell anyone, including their
doctors and loved ones, about what they experience for fear
of being considered a hypochondriac. Instead they suffer in
silence, distancing themselves from friends, family, and
others who could be helpful or supportive.
The disorder often occurs with other mental and physical
disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression,
irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, or substance abuse. This
may complicate of getting a correct diagnosis.
To take a self-test for panic disorder,
click here. |
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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDERS
People with
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer from unwanted
and intrusive thoughts that they can't seem to get out
of their heads (obsessions), often compelling them to
repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines
(compulsions) to try and ease their anxiety. Most people
who have OCD are aware that their obsessions and
compulsions are irrational, yet they feel powerless to
stop them. Some spend hours at a time performing
complicated rituals involving hand-washing, counting, or
checking to ward off persistent, unwelcome thoughts,
feelings, or images. Others live in fear that their
thoughts will cause harm to someone or that they will
blurt out an improper statement or throw something out
by mistake.
Common obsessions:
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Constant, irrational worry about
dirt, germs, or contamination
- Excessive concern with order,
arrangement, or symmetry
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Fear that negative or
blasphemous thoughts or images will cause personal
harm or harm to a loved one
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Preoccupation with losing or
throwing away objects with little or no value
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Excessive concern about
accidentally or purposefully injuring another person
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Feeling overly responsible for
the safety of others
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Distasteful religious and sexual
thoughts or images
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Doubting that is irrational or
excessive
Common compulsions:
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Cleaning: Repeatedly
washing hands, bathing, or cleaning household items,
often for hours at a time
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Checking: Checking and
rechecking, several to hundreds of times a day, that
the doors are locked, the stove is turned off, the
hairdryer is unplugged, etc.
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Repeating: Inability to
stop repeating a name, phrase, or tune
- Hoarding:
Difficulty throwing away useless items such as old
newspapers or magazines, bottle caps or rubber bands
- Touching and arranging
- Mental rituals:
Endless reviewing of conversations, counting;
repetitively calling up “good” thoughts to neutralize
“bad” thoughts or obsessions; or excessive praying and
using special words or phrases to neutralize obsessions
Obsessions and rituals can
substantially interfere with a person's normal routine,
schoolwork, job, family, or social activities. Several hours
every day may be spent focusing on obsessive thoughts and
performing seemingly senseless rituals. Trying to
concentrate on regular daily activities may be difficult. If
left untreated, OCD can interfere with all aspects of one's
life.
Children can suffer from OCD, too
(see
Children & Adolescents). Unlike adults, however,
children with OCD do not realize that their obsessions
and compulsions are excessive.
To take a self-test for OCD,
click here.
For information about treatment options,
click here.
Related disorder:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
To download a brochure about
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
click here.
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SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY:
-
worry or fear that something bad
will happen
-
trembling, twitching, or feeling
shaky
-
fatigue or restlessness
-
muscle tension or bitterness
-
feeling dizzy or lightheaded
-
fast heartbeat or breathing rate
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sweating, or cold or clammy hands
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dry mouth, nausea, or diarrhea
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irritability, impatience, easily
distracted
Some anxiety symptoms may occur
in anyone experiencing a difficult situation.
The line between such "normal"
anxiety and an anxiety disorder occurs if overwhelming tension happens
even when there is no real danger. People with an anxiety disorder may
often take extreme actions to avoid the source of their anxiety.
If several of the above symptoms
seem clearly associated with a specific situation or object, and persist
over time, you may need to seek help from a professional therapist.
The Counseling and Wellness Center can provide important help. Please
call us at 832-1945 to make an appointment with one of our counselors.
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