Download Understanding Anxiety Disorders

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Understanding
Anxiety
Disorders
experiencing mental illness. For more
information about the CMHA and our
services, please go to www.cmha.ca
www.cmha.ca
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The Canadian Mental Health
UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
What are Anxiety
Disorders?
An overview
times when we are nervous or fearful
about a particular situation, and we
experience any or all of the symptoms
Your heart is racing; it’s pounding so
hard you feel like it is coming out of
your chest. Your mouth has gone dry
but at the same time, sweat has broken
out all over your body. Dizziness and
nausea are threatening to overwhelm
you and you can’t catch your breath.
Do you have an anxiety disorder?
Let’s start by understanding the
difference between the anxiety that
everyone experiences occasionally,
and an anxiety disorder. We all have
described above. Your nervousness can
even temporarily interfere with your
ability to cope; this is normal.
However, if these symptoms create
ongoing, significant distress that
causes disruption in daily living,
you may have an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms
Remember that under different circumstances,
the following symptoms can affect any individual
for a short period of time. It is only when they
are prolonged, severe and disruptive to your life,
that you may need to consider if you have an
anxiety disorder.
In greater or lesser degrees, and depending on the
disorder, symptoms include:
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Racing pulse, heart palpitations, possibly even
chest pain
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UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
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Shortness of breath, panting, dry mouth
Blushing
Nausea and/or vomiting
Trembling, shaking, muscle tension
Dizziness
Hot flashes and sweating, or chills
Difficulties with sleep
Inability to concentrate
Types of Anxiety Disorders
ere are actually five different kinds of anxiety
disorders. You have probably run across the
following terms, but let’s briefly go over them.
For more detail, the Canadian Mental Health
Association has pamphlets that delve more deeply
into each of these topics.
1. Panic Disorders
“Panic attacks” are associated with these
disorders; they can strike without warning
and are accompanied by feelings of terror
that range from mild to extreme. e fear
experienced by those with a panic disorder is
powerful, unpredictable and overwhelming.
After experiencing a panic attack, some people
become so frightened of having another, they
avoid any situation where they cannot escape
or find help. As a result, they will not take
public transit, go to shopping malls, or in
some cases venture outside their homes. is
is called a panic disorder with agoraphobia.
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An overview
2. Phobias
Phobias are usually divided into two categories:
specific and social.
People with a specific phobia have an
uncontrolled, irrational fear of something in
particular. It could be an object, situation,
animal, activity or anything else that is significant
to that person. Whatever it is, the individual
experiences inexplicable levels of fear and will
often go to extremes to avoid encountering it.
Social phobias describe excessive anxiety over
social situations. ese fears go beyond average
apprehension over such things as mingling at
a party or self-consciousness, but extend to
extreme feelings of anxiety. People with social
phobias would rather avoid a gathering of
people than suffer the anxiety that accompanies
the situation.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Following a life-threatening experience or one
that caused physical or emotional harm, a
person can experience PTSD. Examples of
incidents that can cause PTSD include rape,
child abuse, war or natural disaster. With this
disorder, people not only experience symptoms
described previously, they can also have
flashbacks of the incident, nightmares,
depression, uncontrolled anger and irritability.
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UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Causes
People with OCD have unwanted, persistent
thoughts (obsessions) and a need to perform
repetitive activities (compulsions) that can
overtake their lives.
Anxiety disorders are not the “fault” of the person
experiencing them, nor are they a weakness in
character. In fact, research shows that these
disorders are most likely a combination of complex
biological and psychological factors, as well as
exposure to challenging situations earlier in life.
A person with obsessions often knows that
their thoughts are irrational and excessive,
but they cannot ignore them. Examples of
obsessive thought include worrying about
contamination, fears and worries over things
done or not done, sexual or religious fixations.
In an attempt to relieve their intrusive thoughts,
people with OCD resort to compulsive habits,
that have very specific “rules”. ese excessive
habits provide temporary relief, however the
obsessive thoughts soon return. Examples of
compulsive behaviour include things like
repetitive hand washing, constant organizing,
and endless checking and counting.
5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Repeated, exaggerated worrying for more than
six months characterizes GAD. People with
GAD have disproportionate levels of worry
over routine events and activities that others feel
are of minor concern; they are always expecting
the worst, and constantly “disasterizing”.
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An overview
Scientists have discovered that the biological factors
of anxiety disorders include possible genetic causes
(as these disorders often run in families), changes
in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, and
alterations in certain areas of the brain.
Psychological factors include the ways people
learn to think about certain situations or cues, the
fears they associate with things, and the amount
of control they believe they have over events or
situations. Termed the “cognitive behavioural”
factors, they also form the basis of treatment.
Some researchers also include “developmental”
factors as a pre-cursor to an anxiety disorder. ese
factors are the result of childhood experiences that
shape the way an adult deals with anxiety.
Treatment
If you suspect that you or someone you care
about has an anxiety disorder, the first thing you
should do is talk to your family doctor. Have a
complete physical examination to make sure there
are no underlying ailments such as anemia or a
thyroid problem mimicking the signs of an
anxiety disorder.
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UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
If your family doctor feels you have an anxiety
disorder, s/he will discuss treatment options. Two
main types of treatment are often prescribed:
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
One-on-one CBT, or in small group is very
effective in helping with anxiety disorders.
During the cognitive portion of the sessions, a
therapist assists individuals in identifying their
anxiety-producing thoughts and then in
evaluating their validity.
When focusing on the behavioural portion of
therapy, individuals are challenged in small,
manageable steps, to face the situations that
provoke their anxiety, and through gradual
exposure, learn to control their fears.
An overview
Lifestyle Choices
Let’s not forget about the things you can do on
your own. You need to be an active member of
your mental health team. Take a proactive role in
your well-being and make lifestyle choices that are
mindful and healthy.
Do:
■
Join a support group if your community
has one: It is important for you to network
with others who are also asking questions
about their illness and looking for coping
strategies to help them with their disorder;
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Eat a healthy diet: A well-balanced,
nutritious diet is important for overall
health;
■
Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages and
illegal drugs: While it is tempting to seek
emotional relief from substances, they
often increase your anxiety and can trigger
panic attacks;
■
Stop smoking: Try to cut down or even
quit smoking. As you cultivate a healthy
body, you will feel great about getting rid
of this habit;
■
Exercise: Get active and stay active.
Physical activity has been proven to
improve mood and a sense of calm;
Stress management: Find a course on stress
management and seek ways to reduce your
stressors and your perception of them;
Depending on the disorder, CBT may be
prescribed as the only treatment approach.
2. Medication
Due to the biological factors contributing to
anxiety, prescribed medications targeted at the
brain’s chemical messengers can also be
helpful. ese include classes of drugs known
as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors (SNRI) and benzodiazepines.
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UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY DISORDERS
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Try meditation and other activities
that calm the mind: Sitting or moving
meditations such as tai chi and yoga are
beneficial to calming the mind;
Get a good night’s sleep: You need
sufficient sleep to help you feel good the
next day, so be sure to get enough rest at
night;
An overview
Don’t let anxiety overwhelm you. We can help
you turn the tables and gain control of your life.
Take the first step and reach out for help today.
Share your feelings: Nurture your
relationships just as they in turn nurture you.
Empower your own capacity to heal by making
lifestyle choices that work for your mental health.
A healthy body helps a healthy mind.
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Reach Out for Help
Whether you or someone you care about, is
experiencing an anxiety disorder, the future
does not have to be bleak. Don’t let fear or
embarrassment stop you – find out more about
the help that is available in your community. e
Canadian Mental Health Association and other
community mental health organizations offer
services, information and support to people
affected by mental illness.
e Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
is a nation-wide, charitable organization that
promotes the mental health of all and supports
the resilience and recovery of people experiencing
mental illness. For more information about the
CMHA and our services, please go to
www.cmha.ca
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