Anxiety

ANXIETY

Overview • What is Anxiety? • What are the different types of anxiety disorders? • What are the causes? • What are the symptoms? • What are the treatments? • Conclusion

Definition of Anxiety • Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.

• Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety.

Anxiety Facts • Anxiety disorders cost more than $42 billion a year.

• More than $22 billion are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses. • Anxiety is highly treatable (up to 90% of cases), but only one-third of those who suffer from it receive treatment

2003 Anxiety Disorders Association of America

• People with an anxiety disorder are threeto-five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than nonsufferers. • Depression often accompanies anxiety disorders

Types of Anxiety Disorders • Panic Disorder • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Phobias • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Panic Disorder • A panic attack is a sudden, intense fear or anxiety that may make you short of breath. • The abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes,

Includes at least four of the following symptoms: • A feeling of imminent danger or doom

• • • • •

The need to escape Palpitations Sweating Trembling Shortness of breath or a smothering feeling • A feeling of choking • Chest pain or discomfort

• 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 sensations • Chills or hot flushes

Panic Disorder There are three types of Panic Attacks: 1. Unexpected - the attack "comes out of the blue" without warning and for no discernable reason. 2. Situational - situations in which an individual always has an attack, for example, upon entering a tunnel.

CONTI………… 3. Situation ally Predisposed - situations in which an individual is likely to have a Panic Attack, but does not always have one. An example of this would be an individual who sometimes has attacks while driving.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by combinations of such thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsion).

CONTI…………… • Obsessions are recurring thoughts or impulses that are intrusive or inappropriate and cause the sufferer anxiety: – Persistent doubts, for example, whether or not one has turned off the iron or stove, locked the door or turned on the answering machine;

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder • Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals performed by the OCD sufferer, performance of these rituals neutralize the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, relief is only temporary. – Cleaning. Repeatedly washing their hands, showering, or constantly cleaning their home; – Checking. Individuals may check several or even hundreds of times to make sure that stoves are turned off and doors are locked; – Repeating. Some repeat a name, phrase or action over and over; – Slowness. Some individuals may take an excessively slow and methodical approach to daily activities, they may spend hours organizing and arranging objects; – Hoarding. Hoarders are unable to throw away useless items, such as old newspapers, junk mail, even broken appliances

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Exposure to traumas such as a serious accident, a natural disaster, or criminal assault can result in PTSD. When the aftermath of a traumatic experience interferes with normal functioning, the person may be suffering from PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD – Reexperiencing the event, which can take the form of intrusive thoughts and recollections, or recurrent dreams; – Avoidance behavior in which the sufferer avoids activities, situations, people,and/or conversations which he/she associates with the trauma;

CONTI………… – A general numbness and loss of interest in surroundings; – Hypersensitivity, including: inability to sleep, anxious feelings, overactive startle response, hyper vigilance, irritability and outbursts of anger.

Social Phobia/Anxiety • Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. This fear arises when the individual believes that they may be judged, scrutinized or humiliated by others. • Individuals with the disorder are acutely aware of the physical signs of their anxiety and fear that others will notice, judge them, and think poorly of them. • In extreme cases this intense uneasiness can progress into a full blown panic attack.

Social Phobia/Anxiety • Common anxiety provoking social situations include: – – – – – – – – – – – –

public speaking talking with people in authority dating and developing close relationships making a phone call or answering the phone interviewing attending and participating in class speaking with strangers meeting new people eating, drinking, or writing in public using public bathrooms driving shopping

Generalized Anxiety Disorder • Excessive uncontrollable worry about everyday things. This constant worry affects daily functioning and can cause physical symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder • The focus of GAD worry can shift, usually focusing on issues like job, finances, health of both self and family; but it can also include more mundane issues such as, chores, car repairs and being late for appointments

Common Causes • There is no one cause for anxiety disorders. Several factors can play a role – Genetics – Brain biochemistry – Overactive "fight or flight" response • Can be caused by too much stress – Life circumstances – Personality • People who have low self-esteem and poor coping skills may be more prone

• Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. • In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety.

Symptoms of Anxiety Anxiety is an emotion often accompanied by various physical symptoms, including: • • • • • • •

Twitching or trembling Muscle tension Headaches Sweating Dry mouth Difficulty swallowing Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress especially in a child)

Additional Symptoms of Anxiety Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety: • • • • • • • • •

Dizziness Rapid or irregular heart rate Rapid breathing Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate Fatigue Irritability, including loss of your temper Sleeping difficulties and nightmares Decreased concentration Sexual problems

Social Effects of Anxiety • Depression – Not as involved with family and friends the way you used to be – Lowered quality of relationships – Low energy – Lack of motivation to do the things you once looked forward to doing

• Unable to convey the person that you are • Fear and avoidance of situations where previous attacks occurred

Allopathic Treatments • • • •

Medications (Drug Therapy): Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Alternative Treatments • • • • • • • •

Acupuncture Aromatherapy Breathing Exercises Exercise Meditation Nutrition and Diet Therapy Vitamins Self Love

Acupuncture • Caused by the imbalance of chi coming about by keeping emotions in for too long • Emotion effects the chi to move in an abnormal way: when fearful it goes to the floor, when angry the neck and shoulders tighten • Redirects the chi into a balanced flow, releases tension in the muscles, increases flow of blood, lymph, and nerve impulses to affected areas • Takes 10-12 weekly sessions

Aromatherapy • Calming Effect: vanilla, orange blossom, rose, chamomile, and lavender • Reducing Stress: Lavender, sandalwood, and nutmeg • Uplifting Oils: Bergamot, geranium, juniper, and lavender • Essential Oil Combination: 3 parts lavender, 2 parts bergamot, and 1 part sandalwood

Exercise •

•

Benefits: symbolic meaning of the activity, the distraction from worries, mastery of a sport, effects on self image, biochemical and physiological changes associated with exercise, symbolic meaning of the sport Helps by expelling negative emotions and adrenaline out of your body in order to enter a more relaxed, calm state to deal with issues and conflicts

Meditation • Cultivates calmness to create a sense of control over life • Practice: Sit quietly in a position comfortable to you and take a few deep breaths to relax your muscles, next choose a calming phrase (such as “om” or that with great significance to you), silently repeat the word or phrase for 20 minutes

Nutrition and Diet Therapy • Foods to Eat: whole grains, bananas, asparagus, garlic, brown rice, green and leafy veggies, soy products, yogurt • Foods to Avoid: coffee, alcohol, sugar, strong spices, highly acidic foods, foods with white flour • Keep a diary of the foods you eat and your anxiety attacks; after awhile you may be able to see a correlation • East small, frequent meals

Vitamins • B-Vitamins stabilize the body’s lactate levels which cause anxiety attacks (B-6, B-1, B-3) • Calcium (a natural tranquilizer) and magnesium relax the nervous system; taken in combination before bed improves sleep • Vitamin C taken in large doses also has a tranquilizing effect • Potassium helps with proper functioning of adrenal glands • Zinc has a calming effect on the nervous system

Self Love • The most important holistic treatment of all • Laugh: be able to laugh at yourself and with others; increases endorphin levels and decreases stress hormones • Let go of frustrations

CONTI…………. • Do not judge self harshly: don’t expect more from yourself than you do others • Accept your faults

CONCLUSION • Anxiety is part of life, it need to be there • Its is neither healthy nor desirable to be rid of it forever. Sadly, this is what most sufferers are doing, trying their best not to feel anxious

CONTI……………. • Don't keep hiding and running away from anxiety attack. Left untreated, anxiety attack will slowly take over your life, seriously crippling your ability to live a normal healthy lifestyle. • Take action now , take control of your life and make an effort to overcome anxiety attack!

Fight Anxiety Attacks with Logic • Anxiety Answer: • You are in control of your thoughts. If you allow anxiety and boredom to dominate your thinking, eventually your mental state will compromise your physical health.

CONTI…………. • Without correct information and proper direction, many people suffer needless pain and anxiety. • As a person comes to understand the logic behind anxiety, he can learn to quickly catch subtle warning signals far in advance of the "attack," thereby preventing the more serious symptoms

The End