Download Anxiety

Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
 anxiety. An unpleasant emotional and
physical state of overwhelming
apprehension and fear.
(www.mayoclinic.com)

Some Anxiety Disorders.
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder
 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
 Separation Anxiety
 Panic Disorder
 School Phobia
 etc..
Generalised Anxiety
Disorder
 Excessive anxiety or worry about numerous
areas,
 more days than not
 lasting at least 6 months
 the worry is difficult to control
GAD
 The anxiety and worry may lead to:
 restlessness, agitation
 being tired
 poor concentration
 irritability
 muscle tension
 sleep problems
GAD
 The anxiety causes a lot of distress, and
impairs daily life
 not due to physical illness
Treating GAD
 Counseling
 self help 9eg biofeedback, etc.)
 medication
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder
What is Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
 PTSD is a disorder caused by exposure
to what is referred to as psychological
trauma
 The prevance has been estimated
between 1 and 14 percent
Symptoms of PTSD.
 Hyperarousal
 may seem jumpy, anxious, overly
nervous, easily startled.
 involuntary re experiencing of the
event.
 Flashbacks
 nightmares
 intrusive memories.
 numbing of emotions.
Treatment.
 Psychotherapy
 medication.
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder.
 What is it?
 What are the symptoms?
 How is it treated?
What is Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder?
 It is characterised by intrusive thoughts,
urges, and images that cause anxiety within
a person.
 In a severe form the illness is very difficult
to live with.
Symptoms of OCD.
 A person with OCD experiences obsessions
and/or compulsions.
 The majority of people with OCD have both
obsessions and compulsions
 Obsessions consist to:
 recurring and persistent thoughts,
impulses, or images that come to a person
at inappropriate times that cause anxiety.
 They aren't just excessive worry about real
life problems
 the person tries to ignore them
 the person is aware they are from their own
mind
 Compulsions are described as:
 repetitive behaviours or acts that a person
feels compelled to perform
 the behaviours or acts are aimed at
reducing distress
 The person realises at some point that the
obsessions or compulsions are excessive
 the symptoms are extreme and take up a
lot of time and energy
Separation Anxiety
 Inappropriate and excessive anxiety
associated with separation from home or
those the person is attached to.
Symptoms
 Excessive distress when separated from
home or main attachment figures
 Persistent fear over possible harm to, loss
of, or separation from attachment figures
 fear of being alone or without figure
 fear of sleeping without figure being near
Symptoms
 Nightmares with separation themes
 fear of being alone without figure
 Onset before age 18, Lasting more than 4
weeks
Panic Disorder
 Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
 concern about having panic attacks
 worry about meaning of attacks (losing
control, etc)
 Major change in behaviour due to attacks
 may or may not be agoraphobic
Panic Attack?
 Sudden onset
 intense fear about bodily symptoms that
have no explanation
 Rapid breathing, trouble swallowing, heart
pounding, immense fear, dizziness, feeling
detached.
School Phobia
 Often a symptom of other anxiety problems.
 GAD, separation anxiety, social phobia,
agoraphobia, body image disturbances, etc.
 Usually a symptom, not a disorder
Treatment.
 Treatment includes:
 Medication
 Individual and family therapy
Medication
 Anti anxiety
 Anti depressant
Therapy
 This usually is focused on teaching the
ability to reality test intrusive thoughts that
contribute to compulsions
 Some therapists use a increased exposure
model