ANXIETY DISORDERS: signs, symptoms
and treatment options. (By Paul Lohkamp, MSW, LCSW)
and treatment options. (By Paul Lohkamp, MSW, LCSW)
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We worry and feel tense or nervous when under pressure or facing a stressful situation. Anxiety, the body’s natural response
to danger, is like an automatic alarm that goes off when we feel threatened. Anxiety may be unpleasant, but it isn’t always a
bad thing. In fact, anxiety can help us focus our attention, be ready for action, and helps us to solve problems. But anxiety
can be overwhelming and interfere with relationships, activities and daily living. That’s when it moves from normal anxiety
into the territory of anxiety disorders.
Do you have an anxiety disorder? If you experience several of the following signs and symptoms, and they are persistent,
you may have an anxiety disorder.
- · Are you constantly on edge, tense or worried?
· Does your anxiety interfere with your work, school, or responsibilities at home?
· Are you suffering from fears that you know are irrational, but can’t shake?
· Do you believe something bad will happen if certain things aren’t done a certain way?
· Do you avoid everyday situations or activities because they make you anxious?
· Do you experience sudden, unexpected attacks of heart-pounding stress?
· Do you feel like danger and catastrophe are around everywhere?
Because the various anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, they can seem very different from person to person.
One individual may suffer from intense anxiety attacks that have a sudden onset, while another gets panic attacks at the
thought of being at a meeting. Another person may have a disabling fear of driving or uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts of
hurting someone. Still another may live in a constant state of tension, worrying about anything and everything. And yet
someone may be afraid they have a fatal illness such as ALS or Aides. But despite their different forms, all anxiety disorders
share one major symptom: persistent or severe fear or worry in situations where most people wouldn’t feel threatened.
Emotional symptoms of anxiety: In addition to the key symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other
emotional symptoms of anxiety may include:
- · Thoughts of dread or apprehension · Trouble with focus or concentration
· Feeling tense, jumpy or on edge · Anticipating worst case scenario
· Irritability · Restless and “antsy”
· Watching for signs of danger · Feeling like your mind’s gone blank
Physical symptoms of anxiety: Anxiety is more than just a feeling. It comes from the body’s fight-or-flight response and
involves a wide range of physical symptoms. Because of the numerous physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake
their disorder for a medical illness. They may visit many doctors and make numerous trips to the hospital before their anxiety
disorder is discovered.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:
- · Pounding or rapid heartbeat · Sweating or claminess
· Stomach upset or nausea · Frequent urination or diarrhea
· Shortness of breath · Tremors and twitches
· Muscle tension · Headaches and other body aches
· Fatigue · Insomnia
Click on this anxiety symptom screening , for an inventory which you can email Paul.
depression are believed to stem from the same biological vulnerability, which may explain why they so often go hand in hand.
Since depression makes anxiety worse (and vice versa), it’s important to seek treatment for both conditions. Anxiety often
just causes people to run out of gas.
[Click on this, DEPRESSION SCREENING, for an inventory for depression which you can email to Paul.]
Anxiety attacks and their symptoms:
Anxiety attacks, also referred to as panic attacks, are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly
and without warning. Sometimes the trigger of panic is known, but other times, the attacks come out of the blue. Examples
of triggers might be; getting stuck in an elevator, or thinking about the speech you’re giving in a few hours.
Anxiety attacks can be quick to come, and they rarely last more than a half hour. But during that short time, the terror can be
so severe that you feel as if you’re about to die or totally lose control. The physical symptoms are themselves so frightening
that many people believe they are having a heart attack. After an anxiety attack is over, you may be worried about having
another one, particularly in a public place where help isn’t available or you can’t easily avoid the situation.
Symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks include:
- · Thoughts of overwhelming panic · Thoughts of losing control/crazy
· Heart palpitations or chest pain · Thinking you’re going to pass out
· Trouble breathing or choking sensation · Hyperventilation
· Hot flashes or chills · Trembling or shaking
· Nausea or stomach cramps · Feeling detached or unreal
Treatment for anxiety attacks: It’s important to seek help if you’re starting to avoid certain situations or places because
you’re afraid of having a panic attack. The good news is that anxiety attacks are highly treatable. In fact, many people are
panic free within just 5 to 8 treatment sessions.
Types of anxiety disorders
There are six major types of anxiety disorders, each with their own distinct symptom profile: generalized anxiety disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Generalized anxiety disorder: If constant worries and fears distract you from your day-to-day activities or you’re troubled
by a persistent feeling that something bad is going to happen, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
People with GAD are chronic worrywarts who feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why.
Anxiety related to GAD often shows up as physical symptoms like insomnia, stomach upset, restlessness, and fatigue.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors
that seem impossible to stop or control. If you have OCD, you may be troubled by obsessions, such as a recurring worry that
you forgot to turn off the oven or that you might hurt someone. You may also suffer from uncontrollable compulsions, such
as washing your hands over and over. [See the page on OCD]
Panic disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as fear of experiencing
another episode. Panic disorder may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape or
help would be difficult in the event of a panic attack. If you have agoraphobia, you are likely to avoid public places such as
shopping malls or confined spaces such as an airplane.
Phobia: A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality presents little to
no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals such as snakes and spiders, fear of flying, and fear of heights. In the
case of a severe phobia, you might go to extreme lengths to avoid the thing you fear. Unfortunately, avoidance only
strengthens the phobia.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur in the
aftermath of a traumatic or life-threatening event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks or nightmares about what
happened, hypervigilance, startling easily, withdrawing from others, and avoiding situations that remind you of the event.
Social anxiety disorder: If you have a debilitating fear of being seen negatively by others and humiliated in public, you may
have social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness. In
severe cases, social situations are avoided altogether. Performance anxiety (better known as stage fright) is the most common
type of social phobia.
Self-help for anxiety and anxiety disorders
Not everyone who worries a lot has an anxiety disorder. You may be anxious because of an overly demanding schedule, lack
of exercise or sleep, pressure at home or work, or even from too much coffee. The bottom line is that if your lifestyle is
unhealthy and stressful, you’re likely to feel anxious—whether or not you have an anxiety disorder. So if you feel like you
worry too much, take some time to evaluate how well you’re caring for yourself.
- · Do you make time each day for relaxation and fun?
· Are you getting the emotional support you need?
· Are you taking care of your body?
· Are you overloaded with responsibilities?
· Do you ask for help when you need it?
responsibilities you can give up, turn down, or delegate to others. If you’re feeling isolated or unsupported, find someone you
trust to confide in. Just talking about your worries can make them seem less frightening.
Self-help strategies for chronic worriers: In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, you can reduce your anxiety
levels by challenging the irrational beliefs, pessimistic attitudes, and rigid mental habits that trigger and sustain worry. [See the
article on Mindfulness, the Art of Now]
When to seek professional help for anxiety
While self-help coping strategies for anxiety can be very effective, if your worries and fears have become so great that they’re
causing extreme distress or disrupting your daily routine, it is important to seek professional help.
If you’re experiencing a lot of physical anxiety symptoms, you should start by getting a medical checkup. Your doctor can
check to make sure that your anxiety isn’t caused by a medical condition, such as a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, or
asthma. Since certain drugs and supplements can cause anxiety, your doctor will also want to know about any prescriptions,
over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs you’re taking.
If your physician rules out a medical cause, the next step is to consult with a therapist who has experience treating anxiety
disorders. The therapist will work with you to determine the cause and type of your anxiety disorder and devise a course of
treatment.
Anxiety treatment options
Anxiety disorders respond very well to treatment—and often in a relatively short amount of time. The specific treatment
approach depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its severity. But in general, most anxiety disorders are treated with
behavioral therapy, medication, or some combination of the two. New research has also revealed a number of beneficial
complementary treatments for anxiety.
Behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are two effective anxiety
disorder treatments. Both are types of behavioral therapy, meaning they focus on behavior rather than on underlying
psychological conflicts or issues from the past. Behavioral therapy for anxiety usually takes between 5 and 20 weekly sessions.
- · Cognitive-behavior therapy – As the name suggests, cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts—or
cognitions—in addition to behaviors. When used in anxiety disorder treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you
identify and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that are fueling your anxiety.
· Exposure therapy – In exposure therapy for anxiety disorder treatment, you confront your fears in a safe,
controlled environment. Through repeated exposures, either in your imagination or in reality, to the feared object or
situation, you gain a greater sense of control. As you face your fear without being harmed, your anxiety gradually
diminishes.
in the treatment of anxiety disorders. But medication is most effective when combined with behavioral therapy. When
compared to those who use medication alone, anxiety sufferers treated with both therapy and medication benefit from a
greater reduction in symptoms and a lower risk of relapse.
For certain types of anxiety disorders like phobias or social anxiety disorder, medication may only be needed from time to
time, such as right before boarding an airplane or performing at a recital. For other anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-
compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, medication may be necessary for a longer period of treatment.
Medication may also be used in the short-term to relieve severe anxiety symptoms so that other forms of therapy can be
pursued.
Paul Lohkamp [Some content of this article was take from articles in Helpguide.org, psychologytoday.com and
several other resources.]