The Problem of Anxiety Disorders - Coursework Example

Anxiety Disorders This is a study about anxiety disorders. More specifically, the study aims at examining what anxiety disorders are, their causes, symptoms, and the diagnosis and treatment of people living with anxiety disorders. In the discussion, the study will strive to answer the following questions; what are anxiety disorders? What causes anxiety disorders? What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders? How can anxiety disorders be diagnosed and treated? The study will also explore the various categories of anxiety disorders and their manifestation in the affected individuals. Anxiety Disorders What Are Anxiety Disorders? According to William and David (2012), anxiety disorders refer to mental disorders that are common and occur frequently. They include conditions that entail pathological and extreme anxiety, which disturbs the mood. Anxiety may be manifested by mood disturbances, behavior disturbances, and disturbances in physiology. Anxiety disorders are common across all human cultures, and they affect everyone irrespective of age, race, or gender. Therefore, anxiety disorders affect children, adults, men, as well as women. However, the prevalence of anxiety disorders tends to be higher in women than in men. It is estimated that about one in every ten people suffers from anxiety disorders. With appropriate intervention, these conditions can be diagnosed and treated. People may suffer from more than one anxiety disorder; therefore, people do not necessarily encounter one anxiety disorder. Other conditions such as drug and substance abuse, eating disorders, and depression may accompany anxiety disorders. In addition, these disorders may coexist with physical disorders; in such a case, the physical disorder or condition should be treated. A combination of individual circumstances and biological factors may cause anxiety disorders (WebMD, 2012). The various categories of anxiety disorders include; generalized anxiety disorders, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. What Causes Anxiety Disorders? Anxiety disorders are caused by an interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. In addition, stress, genetic factors, and trauma may also cause anxiety disorders. Primarily, a combination of all these factors has to work together for anxiety disorders to occur. Therefore, a single factor cannot be responsible for anxiety disorders. These causes will now be analyzed, one after the other. Biological Factors All human beings have a flight response mechanism, which protects a person from harm. However, when a person’s survival is threatened, the flight response may create physiological alterations that aid in protecting one’s survival. Such changes may comprise of shallow breathing, tensions in the muscles, and faster heartbeat. Based on this, therefore, biological factors cause anxiety disorders in the sense that the body may perceive daily events as threatening to one’s survival (WebMD, 2012). People who suffer from anxiety disorders overreact towards stress. This overreaction to stress emanates from chemical imbalances encountered in the brain. Thus, biological factors like chemical imbalances in the brain are responsible for anxiety disorders. Lifestyle Factors Some lifestyle factors such as stress may also cause anxiety disorders. When the body experiences extreme stress, which persists for a long period, it can elicit the flight response and start reacting to events as if they are dangerous. Stressful lifestyle habits such as poor diet, work overload, lack of regular exercise, or lack of enough sleep may trigger stress that can cause anxiety disorders (Psyweb.com, 2012). People who work for many hours without enough rest may experience stress that can cause anxiety disorders. Such people rarely have enough time to sleep and exercise. Besides, they may only consume fast food, which may be harmful to their health. Childhood Environment A person’s childhood environment has an impact on the way he or she acts and thinks as an adult. As a child, one may learn beliefs and habits that may trigger anxiety. Anxiety disorders may be common in persons who never learned to have control over their world. For example, parents may expect a child to achieve so that the child gains the acceptance and love of the parents (Psyweb.com, 2012). Moreover, parents may not have allowed a child to have a free environment where they can express their opinions or feelings. Besides, people who grow up in an emotionally and physically unsafe environment may suffer from anxiety disorders. Regular criticism and unfair judgment of children may also cause anxiety disorders. Children growing up in the presence of adults and other role models who act react to life anxiously may also encounter anxiety disorders. Genetic Factors Some anxiety disorders tend to be genetic in the sense that they run in families. For example, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder are genetic. This emanates from the way an individual is brought up in the family and some inherited traits. Some genetic factors may also cause social anxiety. Some phobias tend to be passed on from the parents to children. As such, a person may suffer from an anxiety disorder if some family members suffered from such a disorder. However, genetic factors tend to be triggered by the environmental factors. Genetic causes of anxiety disorders may be unchangeable since genes are permanent predispositions (WebMD, 2012). Thought Patterns Another cause of anxiety disorders is thought patterns; how a person thinks has an effect on the way they react to stressful events or view the world. Negative thought patterns can result to anxiety disorders. For example, individuals who tend to be uncertain of the consequences may encounter anxiety. Negative thoughts may also create physical symptoms in one’s body; this may lead to feelings of anxiety (Psyweb.com, 2012). Consequently, such a person may suffer from anxiety disorders. Therefore, negative self-perception can be a probable cause of anxiety disorders. However, if individuals could denounce negative feelings and thoughts about themselves, they may evade chances of suffering from anxiety disorders. Negative thought patterns may also be related to feelings of low self-esteem. What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders? In discussing the symptoms of anxiety disorders, it imperative to note that the symptoms may vary depending on the anxiety disorder. On this regard, this section on the symptoms of anxiety disorders will discuss the various anxiety disorders and their respective symptoms. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) This disorder entails excessive tension and worry even in instances where nothing provokes anxiety. Persons suffering from generalized anxiety disorder always expect some disaster; they continually worry about work, family, health, school and money (NIMH, 2011). The anxiety and worry in people with GAD tends to dominate every aspect of their daily life and may affect their daily functioning. Other symptoms of GAD may include irritability, restlessness, sweating, headaches, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, tiredness and frequent visitation of the bathroom. People with GAD may also tremble or fear falling asleep (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Panic Disorders Panic disorders entail serious conditions that may affect an individual without any warning. The symptoms of panic disorders may entail sudden attacks that may cause nervousness and fear. In addition, people suffering from panic disorders may experience such symptoms as high heart beat rate as well as sweating. Panic disorders may be accompanied by other conditions like excessive drug use, alcoholism and depression. Other symptoms of panic disorders include intense feeling of dread, sweating, trembling and shaking, difficulty in breathing, chest pains, chills and hot flashes, nausea and stomachache (William & David, 2012). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) This anxiety disorder traps people in cycles of endless behaviors and repetitive thoughts. People with this disorder encounter fears and distressing thoughts that seem to be beyond their control. The anxiety caused by these thoughts makes a person feel like performing some rituals (William & David, 2012). The main symptoms of this disorder include fear of harming others, fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt, need for assurance, and the fear of making a mistake. The main compulsions may include repeatedly washing hands, showering, or bathing, checking things such as stoves or locks repeatedly, or refusal to shake hands, and arranging things in a certain way (Psyweb.com, 2012). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD develops when a person experiences a traumatic event that tends to terrify him or her or which causes physical harm. Some of the symptoms of this disorder include avoidance; the affected person tends to avoid situations, thoughts, people, and places that remind them of the ordeal. Another symptom is increased arousal; the affected person has difficulty relating to other people, irritability, anger, and difficulty in concentrating. Individuals with this disorder may suffer from physical conditions such as diarrhea, rapid breathing, and high blood pressure. Other symptoms may include reliving the occurrence through memories and thoughts that remind them of the trauma (WebMD, 2012). Social Anxiety Disorder According to William & David (2012), this is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive fear of a social situation. Anxiety results from the fear that other people may closely watch a person or judge them unfairly. The symptoms of this disorder include tension and anxiety in social situations, sweating, muscle tension, shaking, confusion, stomach upset, and diarrhea. Children suffering from this disorder may portray fear through such actions as throwing tantrums, clinging to the parent, or crying. How can anxiety disorders be diagnosed and treated? Through a number of interventions, anxiety disorders can be treated. The treatment of these disorders entails a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Medically, antidepressants are used to treat anxiety disorders. Such drugs may include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other antidepressants that may be vital for the treatment of anxiety disorders include mirtazapine or nefadazone (William & David, 2012). Psychotherapy entails the treatment of anxiety disorders through behavioral therapy. It is particularly beneficial in the treatment of anxiety disorders that relate to phobia and panic. Therefore, with appropriate interventions, anxiety disorders can be treated. Based on this, individuals suffering from anxiety disorders should seek treatment. References Mayo Clinic Staff (2011). Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502 National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH. (2012). Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml Psyweb. com (2012). Anxiety disorders. Retrieved from www.psyweb.com/mdisord/jsp/anxd.jsp William, R. Y., & David, B. (2012). Anxiety disorders. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286227-overview WebMD (2012). Anxiety & panic disorders health center: Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/generalized-anxiety-disorder. Read More