Anxiety Problems
Prevalence:
In the U.S., anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem for women and are the second most common mental health problem for men. In any given year, about 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from an anxiety disorders. Dr. Edmond Bourne in The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (1995) states that anxiety disorders result from cumulative stress over time. He points out that persons living in the U.S. are presently experiencing more stress than they ever have before. The high levels of stress he attributes to the unprecedented rapid pace of change in our society and because our society lacks consistent, universal values and norms. The recent increased threat of terrorist attack is another contributing factor to the high rate of anxiety disorders in the U.S. He believes that anxiety disorders are the result of our inability to cope with all the stress we experience.
What is anxiety, and what are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety is usually a reaction to a vague, distant or even undetermined danger. Anxiety is an inevitable aspect of everyday life and can serve as a motivator. According to Dr. Bourne, anxiety disorders differ from anxiety in the following respects: (a) they are more intense, (b) they last longer, and (c) they usually produce phobias which interfere with your life.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Panic Disorder:
It consists of sudden occurrences of intense apprehension or fear that appear to occur without any known cause. People who experience panic attacks experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, dizziness, trembling or shaking, a feeling like they are choking, sweating, etc.
Agoraphobia:
It is the fear of having a panic attack in a place where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in a place where help may not be available. Agoraphobics usually avoid places such as grocery, department stores, tunnels, and bridges, public transportation, and being home alone.
Agoraphobia Without A History of Panic Disorder:
The difference between Agoraphobia Without a History of Panic Disorder and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is that it causes a person to avoid situations and places because of fear of being incapacitated or humiliated because of the occurrence of sudden panic like symptoms rather than from a fear of having a full blown panic attack. Panic like symptoms include dizziness, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, etc.
Social Phobia:
It is a fear of embarrassment or humiliation because of concerns about being observed by others or how others will perceive your performance. Social phobias may include fear of public speaking, blushing in public, fear of choking on or spilling food in public, being watched at work, using public toilets, writing or signing documents in public, and crowds.
Specific Phobia:
Specific Phobia is a strong unreasonable fear and/or avoidance of a specific object or situation that may precipitate a panic attack. Some of the most common specific phobias are phobias of animals, heights, elevators, airplanes, elevators, enclosed places, storms, blood, injections, and injuries.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry. The person suffering from it finds it difficult to control the worry, and he or she has three or more of the following symptoms: (1) restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge, (2) being easily fatigued, (3) difficulty concentrating or his or her mind going blank, (4) irritability, (5) muscle tension, and (6) sleep difficulties.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate and cause intense anxiety or distress. Common examples of obsessions include images of violence, hurting someone, a fear of leaving the lights or stove on, or a door unlocked.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled to do in response to an obsession. Some examples of repetitive behaviors are hand washing and checking doors. Examples of compulsive mental acts include praying, counting, and repeating words silently.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder occurs when a person has been exposed to a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness, or horror. Examples include earthquakes, tornadoes, car or plane crashes, rape and other violent crimes.
Acute Stress Disorder:
Acute Stress Disorder is similar to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It too is caused by a traumatic event that generates intense fear, helplessness, or horror. The primary difference is that it does not last longer than four weeks while Posttraumatic Stress Disorder persists for more than four months.
Anxiety Disorder Due to A General Medical Condition:
This disorder occurs when a specific medical condition produces anxiety such as a thyroid condition or congestive heart failure.
Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder:
It occurs when a prescribed or illegal drug or a toxin causes panic attacks or generalized anxiety. The anxiety may be a product of exposure or withdrawal from the drug or toxin.
THE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Dr. Edmund Bourne in The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook states that to effectively treat anxiety disorders they must be treated with a comprehensive approach that treats them simultaneously at many different levels. He recommends the following approach:
Physical Level: At the physical level, anxiety disorders can be the result of such factors as physiological imbalances in the brain and body, shallow breathing, muscle tension, bodily effects of cumulative stress, and nutritional and dietary factors. The physical causes of anxiety can be addressed by breathing techniques, learning relaxation techniques, aerobic exercise, and dietary change. In certain circumstances, medication can also be helpful.
Emotional Level: Suppressed feelings, especially anger, play a major role in creating and maintaining anxiety disorders. Learning how to recognize the symptoms of suppressed feelings, to identify the suppressed feelings, and to express them helps to alleviate anxiety disorders.
Behavioral Level: Phobias often exist because people avoid confronting situations that they fear. Imagery desensitization (i.e., confronting your fears in your imagination) and real-life desensitization (i.e., confronting your fears in real life) helps a person to confront their fears in small, manageable steps. Additionally, certain behavioral techniques such as talking to another person, distracting your mind, abdominal breathing, etc. can help a person to manage and overcome panic attacks.
Mental Level: People who have anxiety disorders tend to engage in negative self-talk and have mistaken beliefs about themselves, others, the world, and the future that help cause and maintain their anxiety disorders. Learning to alter negative self-talk and identify and replace mistaken beliefs helps to alleviate anxiety disorders.
Interpersonal Level: People who cannot communicate their real feelings and needs to others and set appropriate boundaries and limits with others tend to have anxiety disorders. Learning to be assertive and to set appropriate boundaries with others are important steps in overcoming an anxiety disorders.
“Whole Self” Level (Self-Esteem): Low self-esteem is one of the primary causes of anxiety disorders. Accordingly, learning how to increase your self-esteem is very helpful in treating an anxiety disorder.
Existential and Spiritual Level: Finding a broad purpose or direction to your life can be an important factor in overcoming anxiety disorders. Sometimes this involves finding a career or activities that fit your true values and interests or developing spiritual beliefs.
Psychotherapy can help you to treat your anxiety disorder with a comprehensive approach that attacks it simultaneously at many different levels. There are also support groups for people with anxiety disorder. Finally, if you have an anxiety disorder, you should consult a physician to rule out possible physical causes for the anxiety disorder.
Your Counseling Service: Timely, confidential, and professional assistance is available for U.C. students at the University Psychological Services Center (8:00 am -5:00pm, Monday-Friday) located at 316 Dyer Hall. Phone (513-556-0648) or stop in for a no charge screening interview. An additional PSC office is located at the University College.
This fact sheet is provided as a service by the University of Cincinnati Psychological Services Center and the Division of Student Affairs and Services. This fact sheet was prepared by Richard Wise and the professional staff of the Psychological Services Center.
