Anxiety Disorders: When You Can’t Stop Worrying
Posted on 12/11/2000
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect at least 19 million people between the ages of 13 to 54, or 13 percent of adults. This makes anxiety disorders the number one mental health problem in our country.
Within a given year, approximately 10 percent of the public suffer from some type of anxiety disorder that causes distress and interferes with everyday life. Those people often don’t really understand the nature of their suffering and don’t know what they can do about it.
In this article, David Brooks, Ph.D., ABPP (RP), ABPN, neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist with Archway Mental Health Services at St. Alexius Medical Center, provides basic information and answers some common questions pertaining to anxiety disorders.
What is anxiety?
When we are anxious, we worry about danger or bad things happening in the future. These feelings are accompanied by a feeling of tension. Sometimes we have a real reason to feel anxious, while other times there is no identifiable reason. Common symptoms associated with anxiety include dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, trembling legs, shaking hands, “butterflies” in the stomach, a lump in the throat, and a need to urinate.
When does stress become a problem?
Everyone experiences some stress or anxiety that is often appropriate and helpful. For example, having a little anxiety assists to keep us alert while driving. Feeling a little tense may push us to prepare for events such as a job interview or a school exam.Stress is considered bad when we consistently feel tense or have fears that are either unrealistic or excessive. For example, people who are so fearful of being around other people that they rarely venture out of their homes, and do so with great trepidation even when not directly threatened, evidence excessive and unrealistic anxiety levels. Also, some employees, who are seen by supervisors to do excellent work, may be overly fearful of making an error and imagine risking their employment.
What are some common types of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorders, social phobias, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition where a person worries about a wide range of things, and finds it difficult to control this worrying. People with this disorder may experience such symptoms as soreness, muscle aches, fatigue, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or both, restlessness, perspiration when not hot, dizziness or lightheadedness, shakiness, trembling, shortness of breath, problems concentrating, irritability or edginess, dry mouth, hot or cold flashes, or being easily shaken up or startled.
People with a generalized anxiety disorder have a more persistent feeling that something is going to happen to them, to their health or in the workplace, without realistic evidence. For instance a muscle pain in the arm may be perceived as a symptom of a heart attack, or if a work supervisor asks if there are any concerns, the person interprets this as pointedly finding flaws. Some, even though they realize they’re doing well, are very hard on themselves or have perfectionist expectations. Their performance may in fact exceed what the employers expect. These exaggerated fears create havoc in the individuals’ lives.
Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD is a mental illness marked by unwanted thoughts, images and impulses (obsessions). They interfere with daily life and lead to anxiety and great discomfort. Repeated behaviors (compulsions) are responses to the obsessions that seem impossible to stop.
Phobias are fears of specific things or events. Common phobias are fear of flying, spiders, snakes, dentist drills, water, heights, falling, and social situations. Typically with these phobias, the person experiences exaggerated reactions compared to what is likely to occur.
Social phobia is the irrational fear and avoidance of being in a situation in which a person’s activities would be watched by others. The individual’s lifestyle is altered to avoid embarrassment and scrutiny in public settings. Panic disorder is the recurrence of panic attacks which occur frequently (one or more times during a given four-week period). People experiencing a panic attack may think they are having a heart attack because they may suddenly experience shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering, or a racing heart. They may also experience a feeling they’re not in control of the situation or themselves, or may feel they are going insane.
Post traumatic stress disorder is the result of some very real threatening life event which has occurred. The person may have been in a car accident, abused as a child, or attacked. Many people experiencing these events will ultimately adjust very well. It’s common for some to tend to live with upsetting thoughts and dreams. These people can also be helped with desensitization and medication.
Is advice received from relatives and friends helpful in counteracting anxiety?
People with anxiety disorders often receive advice from friends and relatives prior to seeking professional treatment. Sometimes they receive helpful input. Very commonly they are told by others, “don’t worry.” Unfortunately the phrase “don’t worry” typically increases worry because the person then worries not only about what she is worried about, but also worries about worrying.
What treatment is available for anxiety disorders?
Many people who experience anxiety disorders can be helped in a relatively small number of psychotherapy sessions and with medication. It is also a good idea to have a physical examination to rule out possible physical causes that can mimic emotional distress. Once physical causes have been ruled out, it’s a good idea to have a psychological assessment to determine the nature and extent of the disorder.
Possible interventions include, but are not limited to, relaxation training, cognitive behavioral interventions and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Many people remain untreated. People may not recognize the symptoms and just feel that they are out of control without understanding why. No one should suffer needlessly from anxiety. Help is available.
For treatment of anxiety, or to obtain more information on anxiety disorders, you or your physician can simply call the intake nurse at Archway Mental Health Services at 530-7300 or 1-800-732-9980.