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Anxiety Panic Attack DisordersAn overview of the major anxiety disorders.
Following are specific anxiety panic attack disorders: Panic Attacks An anxiety panic attack happens unexpectedly and “out of the blue” and, at least four of the following symptoms, between 5 and 20 minutes. Racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, feeling dizzy, feeling unreal or detached, tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, chills or hot flashes, fear of going crazy or losing control, fear of dying. Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is an anxiety panic attack about being in a particular place or situation that is inescapable if feeling panic. Such as going to the movies, being in crowds, using public transport. People with agoraphobia tend to avoid these situations or feel much distress when forced into them. Panic Disorder Is the reoccurrence of panic attacks. When people have had anxiety panic attacks in certain situations they begin to fear having them again when in those certain situations. They worry about having an attack and may change their behaviours or going to places to avoid attacks. Panic symptoms can be brought on by the use of substances such as caffeine or marijuana.
Specific Phobia An anxiety disorder: fear about a specific object or situation. People with a specific phobia experience fear or avoid certain objects or situations. They have avoided their feared object for more than 6 months. Specific phobias can include fears of an animal or fear of spiders, fear of a thunder storm, fear of injections, fear of flying, fear of choking or vomiting. Generalised anxiety disorder Excessive, uncontrollable worry about events such as performance at work, health and safety of self or others, finances, etc. Social Phobia People with a social phobia fear of doing or saying something embarrassing, in a social environment. This may include filling out a form, asking for help, speaking in a group environment, meeting new people, interviewing for a job, dating, going to the gym. Obsessive-compulsive disorder This anxiety disorder is noted by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. These obsessions are recurring and persistent and caused anxiety or distress. They include recurring and intrusive thoughts, images or impulses. People with OCD have repetitive acts/excessive behaviour to reduce or get rid of the anxiety or obsessive thoughts. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) People with posttraumatic stress disorder have experienced intense fear, helplessness or horror to traumatic events that has nearly or actually seriously injured or killed themselves or others. Many people who experience a trauma naturally recover, but in some instances can develop PTSD. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and combat exposure is more often to lead to PTSD than natural disasters or accidents. Symptoms of PTSD are re-experiencing symptoms of the event, avoidance and numbness and hyper-arousal.
References (Also go to the Bibliography) Dozois, D.J. & Dobson, K.S. (2004). The prevention of anxiety and depression: Theory, research, and practice. American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. Kase, L. & Ledley D. (2007). Wiley concise guides to mental health: Anxiety disorders. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. Rachman, S. (2004). Anxiety. Psychology Press, New York. ***********************************************************
How to Eliminate Panic and Anxiety for Good
Relaxation Techniques and Stress
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