Anxiety disorders
What are the anxiety disorders?
The term "anxiety disorders" describes a number of specific conditions, each of which is characterised by high levels of arousal, discomfort and the fear that something might go wrong. Anxiety is a continual and often irrational feeling of discomfort and tension, usually without any justifiable cause. For example, it is like a car alarm going off when there is nothing happening around the car to set it off.
Types of Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
A major aspect of anxiety disorders is panic attacks - sudden feelings of intense terror, which may occur in certain situations or for no apparent reason. Symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, choking and nausea. The person may feel they are going to die.
The exact cause of panic attacks is not known but they usually begin in early adult years are most likely due to stressful life events. It is now believed that changes in the neurochemical serotonin may contribute to the onset of panic attacks. Low levels of this chemical in the brain is also linked to depression.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
People with this disorder spend much of the time worrying that something bad could happen. They worry about their health, or the health of their loved ones, financial disaster, their work or their relationships.
Agoraphobia
A person suffering from Agoraphobia feels anxious about being in places or situations from which escape may be difficult or in which help is not readily available if the person suffered a panic attack. As a result, many people with this condition avoid going to these places and at an extreme levels, may not leave the house at all.
Specific Phobia
Where a person has a particular phobia, for instance, spiders, snakes etc.
Social Phobia
A person suffering from Social Phobia feels anxious when they are in social situations mostly because they have a fear that other people think negatively about them. They worry about being judged as being weak, crazy or stupid by others. People that suffer from Social Phobia avoid socialising in large groups and may experience anxiety and panic attacks social situations. Social Phobia is more common amongst females.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence. People with OCD often suffer from intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images or impulses (obsessions) and often repeat their actions (compulsions).
Obsessions and compulsions can be very tiring, distressing and take a lot of time. People that suffer from OCD often know of their obsessive thoughts and their compulsive behaviour, but are too embarrassed to tell close friends or relatives or seek help.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorders are also considered types of anxiety disorders – these occur after a person has experienced a traumatic event. The anxiety comes from the event being frightening and from the person worrying about the possibility of the event recurring.
As you can see, there is a range of so-called disorders, but each has the defining characteristic of pervasive, unreasonable fear about general or specific events.
What causes the Anxiety Disorders?
Approximately 1 in 10 people suffer from anxiety disorders, mostly women. It is hard to know the exact cause, as there are many underlying factors. Physical and biochemical causes may play a part in the onset of at least some anxiety disorders (e.g. Panic Disorder with/without Agoraphobia: Specific Phobia; and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). Just as important may be the person's general level of anxiety and the beliefs and attitudes the person may hold about themselves and how they believe the world should be.
Treatments for Anxiety
Anxiety disorders need to be managed carefully to avoid considerable suffering and distress. Treatment for anxiety may consist of a variety of interventions, including education and counselling.
Education and counselling helps the person understand the nature of their condition, their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Counselling can assist people to develop new ways of thinking about themselves and how to deal more effectively with their feelings of anxiety.
Medication is usually only used in specific cases to control high anxiety levels, panic attacks or depression. Most commonly used for temporary relief of anxiety are the Benzodiazepines (eg Diazepam & Valium). Care is taken as these medications can cause dependence. Anti-depressants play an important part in the treatment for depression and contrary to popular belief are not addictive.
Part of the treatment may involve helping the person manage family conflicts and developing ways of using their family as a means of support and encouragement.
There are other people you can turn to for help:
Your GP
Community Mental Health Centre
References:
Embrace the Future 2004: Young Australians Mental Health & Wellbeing:
Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria), 2004
National Mental Health Strategy 2004
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