Download Writing 101 assignment 9/19/09 Jason Grossman Anxiety disorders

Writing 101 assignment 9/19/09
Jason Grossman
Anxiety disorders are characterized by unrealistic, irrational fears. The 5 major anxiety
disorders are: general anxiety disorder (GAD) a pattern of frequent, constant worry and anxiety
over many different activities and events. GAD symptoms are not attached to any specific threat,
and symptoms can include, but are not limited to chronic fatigue, irritability, and uneasiness.
Panic Disorder is a disorder in which inappropriate, intense apprehension and physical symptoms
of fear that occur frequently to produce significant impairment. Examples of panic disorder
include recurrent episodes of sudden dizziness and sensation of choking, with no apparent cause.
Phobias are persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a
compelling desire to avoid it. Phobias are broken down into three subcategories consisting
agoraphobia, specific phobia and social phobia. Agoraphobia can be seen as a fear of going to a
fairgrounds or remote beach. Specific phobia can consist of a fear of bugs or heights. Social
phobia can be the fear of public speaking. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD is an anxiety
disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive
behaviors (compulsions). OCD can be an uncontrollable need to check lights, or locks often
before going to bed. Posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop
after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal, in which grave physical harm occurred or was
threatened. PTSD can be seen in individuals who have been exposed to war time events during
fireworks, triggering the overwhelming memories. These five disorders were recognized by a
group of doctors who helped research and write The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders.
The revisions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that
took place after 1980 brought major changes in the classification of the anxiety disorders. Prior
to 1980, psychiatrists classified patients on the basis of a theory of causality that defined anxiety
as the outcome of unconscious conflicts in the patient's mind. DSM-III (1980), DSM-III-R
(1987), and DSM-IV (1994) introduced and refined a new classification that took into
consideration recent discoveries about the biochemical and post-traumatic origins of some types
of anxiety. The present definitions are based on the external and reported symptom patterns of
the disorders rather than on theories about their origins.
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental disturbance in the United States
population. It is estimated that 28 million persons suffer from an anxiety disorder every year.
These disorders are a serious problem for the entire society because of their interference with
patients' work, schooling, and family life. They also contribute to the high rates of alcohol and
substance abuse in the United States. Anxiety disorders are an additional problem for health
professionals because the physical symptoms of anxiety frequently bring people to primary care
doctors or emergency rooms.
All DSM-IV anxiety disorder diagnoses include a measure of severity, as the anxiety
must be severe enough to interfere significantly with a patient’s occupational or educational
functioning, or social activities where close relationships and other customary activities are
disturbed. Anxiety disorders vary widely in their frequency of occurrence in the general
population, age of onset, family patterns, and gender distribution. The stress disorders and
anxiety disorders caused by medical conditions or substance abuse are less age-and genderspecific.OCD affects males and females equally, GAD, panic disorder, and specific phobias all
affect women more frequently than men. GAD and panic disorders are more likely to develop
among young adults, all phobias and OCD can begin in childhood.
Treatment techniques for anxiety disorders vary from patient to patient. The length of
treatment and the process to establish a successful treatment plan differs among patients. Patients
may respond to treatment after a few months, while others may need over a year of treatment.
Different treatments are sometimes complicated by the fact that people; often have more than
one anxiety disorder, examples can be seen in individuals suffering from depression while
dealing with substance abuse. This is why treatment must be tailored to the individual. Several
treatment plans may be attempted before the desired results are achieved. In order to sustain the
optimum goals in any treatment plan, supporting the patient’s neurological balance will require
additional strategic positioning. Although treatment is individualized, several standard
approaches have proven effective. Therapists can use one or a combination of therapies. Many
therapists use a combination of cognitive and behavior therapies, often referred to as CBT. In
this type of therapy, which is a short-term form of psychotherapy, the patient is actively involved
in his or her own recovery. This empowers the patient, with presenting patients an opportunity
sense of control, while learning skills that are useful throughout life. CBT focuses on identifying,
understanding, and modifying thinking and behavior patterns. When a person changes thinking
and behavior, emotional changes usually follow. Because CBT teaches skills for handling
anxiety, patients who learn and practice the skills can use them when needed. These exercises
are similar to those of working out in the gym; it is a slow process and needs to be regularly used
to ensure continued results and success. Occasionally the use of a trainer or psychologist can
help ensure patients remain on track.
a.
Main research questions about the topic
b. Primary publications, especially journals, magazines, and/or books
c. Relevant professional association(s)
d. Major national and international conferences
e. Key resources about the topic, especially funding agencies, databases, and/or forums
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.2201
author Reger, Mark A; Gahm, Gregory A; Swanson, Robert D; Duma, Susan JISSN 0160-6689
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181b08bdf Reliving and disorganization in
posttraumatic stress disorder and panic disorder memories
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.05.003 Brave men and timid women?: a review of the
gender differences in fear and anxiety
McLean, Carmen P; Anderson, Emily R
Clinical Psychology Review, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 496-505, August 2009
... report greater fear and are more likely to develop anxiety disorders than men. Women's
greater vulnerability for anxiety disorders can be partly understood by examining gender
differences in the etiological factors known to ...