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ANXIETY 101

Psychotherapists and psychiatrists classify anxiety issues into seven major types, which treatment can come about without diagnosis. These are: 1. Specific Phobias A vast series of illogical fear of a situation or an object such as birds, snakes, heights, storms, dogs, spiders, or airplane. 2. Panic Disorder People who have experienced more than one panic attack are most likely to have this type of anxiety. This results to perturbed behaviors assuming further attacks and public embarrassment. Panic disorder is often accompanied by enhanced sensations such as heart palpitation and/or rapid heart rate experts refer to as "the onset of panic". One cannot be classified to having this type of anxiety if he or she has had only one panic attack, because it is possible to never have had experienced another one. 3. Agoraphobia This type of anxiety is often accompanied by panic disorder. A panic attack traced from a root of a situational fear. In worst cases, a person experiencing this anxiety has trouble sensing safety and security on places other than his own home. 4. GAD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder This is the most common of all anxiety types, classified by a constant feeling of worry and resulting to tiredness and loss of body energy, as well as the inability to have a good sleep. 5. PTSD or Post-Traumatic Discorder An anxiety disorder that is commonly caused by extreme trauma. It may arise from flashbacks, past traumatic incidents, poor sleeping habits, irritability, lack of concentration, certain unavoidable situations and occurrences, and detaching oneself from reality. 6. OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsession and compulsions may either be present only by themselves or together. Obsessions are characterized as repetitive thoughts that continuously disturb the mind, like someone trying to kill a person who is a member of his of her family. Compulsions, on the other hand, are repetitive mental strategies or actions that are applied to try avoiding a feeling of anxiety, like repetitive bathing to get rid of dirt or germs. While obsessive thoughts create anxiety, compulsive acts temporarily reduce anxiety. 7. Social Phobia Anxiety that leads to avoidance of any situation that may put a person in to public criticism, scrutiny, embarrassment or humiliation. Examples of these are: attending parties, public open forums, class discussion, meeting new colleagues and so on. One of the world renowned form of therapy to treat such anxieties is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Consulting a physician and having an open, honest discussion with him is the first step before anxiety medication process begins. Constant evaluation and monitoring follows by then. For people dealing with anxiety, taking medications may be an extremely effective means of treating this disorder. Though it might not resolve all the probable fruits of anxiety, medications will help avoid full blown anxiety, which is the goal of any treatment. In some cases, individuals are also encouraged to join group psychotherapy treatments. Medication, only when taken in right amounts and in an appropriate manner, guided by the instructions of the physician, will effectively resolve anxiety. In any treatment or medication, one may experience some side effects like headaches, stomach upset, drowsiness, nausea and even sexual side effects. These side effects may be transitory, but some may be persistent and will often require a change in medication. Many patients worry about getting addicted to some anxiety medications. Reportedly, people have probable association with drug dependency rather than drug addiction to most commonly prescribed anxiety medications like alprazolam, diazepam, and clonazepam. In treating anxiety, it is important to be honest with your psychiatrist because one's life and health is at stake.

• Anxiety interferes with close friendship (5/18/2012)
  
  Dear Amy: For about a year now, I've been in an almost constant state of anxiety. I'm always exhausted, and I never seem to have much energy.
  


• Anxiety interferes with friendship
  
  DEAR AMY: For about a year now, I've been in an almost constant state of anxiety. I'm always exhausted, and I never seem to have much energy. The things that I used to get excited about just don't make me happy anymore.
  


• Amy Dickinson: Her anxiety symptoms are ruining a close friendship
  
  Dear Amy: For about a year, I've been in an almost constant state of anxiety. I'm always exhausted, and I never seem to have much energy.
  


• Mystery gene reveals new mechanism for anxiety disorders
  
  A novel mechanism for anxiety behaviors, including a previously unrecognized inhibitory brain signal, may inspire new strategies for treating psychiatric disorders, researchers report. By testing the controversial role of a gene called Glo1 in anxiety, scientists uncovered a new inhibitory factor in the brain: The metabolic by-product methylglyoxal. The system offers a tantalizing new target for ...
  


• Taxmageddon sparks rising anxiety
  
  Defense contractors have slowed hiring. Tax advisers are warning firms not to count on favorite breaks. And hospitals are scouring their books for ways to cut costs. Across the U.S. economy, anxiety is rising about the potential for widespread disruptions after the November election, when a lame-duck Congress will have barely two months to resolve a grinding standoff over taxes and spending ...