Transcript Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders
GABI WALLEN
What is Anxiety?

Anxiety can be described as an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and
fear often marked by physiological signs (sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt
concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to
cope with it (“Definition of Anxiety”, n.d.).

Anxiety is the unpleasant emotion that arises from the anticipation of something where fear
is a specific reaction to a specific event (McNamara, 2003).

This abnormality can affect anyone, young or old (Dandoy, 1990).
Origins
One cause to anxiety is genetics. Genetics plays a key role in our personalities and emotional
vulnerabilities but can be altered based off of environmental variables (Daitch, 2011).

An immediate environment that can disturb people is while they are in the womb; when
the mother involves herself with stress the baby feels it as well.

“the mother maintains an excessive amount of stress hormones that will very literally flood
the baby sending it into chronic stress” (Daitch, 2011). As a result, in future situations the
child will be more sensitive.

Early childhood can also affect a person’s anxiety

Modeling

Attachment at a young age aids a child into trusting others
All these factors that lead to anxiety happens at a young age and slowly increase as time
goes on if the environment does not change or gets worse. “A study of 800 children aged 711 years showed that almost 9% met the definition for one or more anxiety disorders”
(McNamara, 2003).
The Brain and Hormones
Anxiety does not only come from environmental variables, for some, people
are just born with it.

Serotonin is a chemical in charge with regulating mood balance

GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric acid) is responsible for calming nervous activity

Norepinephrine is in charge with vigilant concentration
Too much or too little of these chemicals will cause anxiety and depression;
too much or too little of any hormone can effect anxiety differently.
Anxiety Disorders

generalized anxiety disorder

panic disorder

specific phobias

social anxiety disorder

obsessive-compulsive disorder
https://disordersofanxiety.wordpress.com/anxiety/generalized-anxietydisorder/
Symptoms
https://disordersofanxiety.wordpress.com/symptoms/
Family & Friends?

Symptoms that people develop with anxiety can put a strain on their
interpersonal relationships.


Anxious people can be more irritable and tense
Costs family money to send their loved one to get treatment
Society?

40 million adults in the US (18 & up)

Costs the U.S. $42 billion a year, about one-third of the country’s $148
billion total mental health bill

$22.84 billion of the $42 billion goes to the people with anxiety disorders seeking
relief for symptoms similar to a physical illness
Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA: http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Treatments
Begins with Psychoeducation

Therapist will then suggest different treatment options such as…

Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, or cognitive-behavioral therapy

Hypnosis: https://disordersofanxiety.wordpress.com/treatments/hypnosis/

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Emotional Freedom Technique:
https://disordersofanxiety.wordpress.com/treatments/emotional-freedom-technique/

Medication (antidepressants) in combination with therapy

Just staying active and healthy; exercise and diet
Why did I do this?

I have suffered from anxiety all my life

Anxiety affected my friends lives as well
References
HTTPS://DISORDERSOFANXIETY.WORDPRESS.COM/REFERENCES/