Anxiety Disorders: A Hidden Crippler
By Ann Lehwald, L.C.S.W.-C
Janice worries about everything. She spends hours thinking about a friend’s offhand comment, her job, money, etc. Often she can’t get these thoughts from her mind and is unable to concentrate. Only Janice and those closest to her know that she is chronically keyed up awaiting disaster at any turn.
Mark is trying to be patient with his wife, Mary. But ever since she had that strange attack in the supermarket she avoids doing things alone. She said it felt as if she was having a heart attack, her heart pounding and an incredible tightness in her chest. She was terrified, but didn’t know why. Now Mary is so worried about having another “attack” she’s afraid to go to many public places.
John is “into routine”. He must always follow certain steps in exactly the same order when getting dressed. If he deviates from any of the steps he will have to get dressed over again or feel intense anxiety. It may take several times to “get it right”. He knows this is irrational, but he’s afraid to tell anyone.
Tony is a talented young man who should advance professionally. Advancements, however, mean contributing at meetings and going to social gatherings. No matter how well prepared, Tony becomes unbearably anxious and often totally tongue-tied.
All of these individuals suffer from anxiety disorders. People suffering from anxiety disorders tend to be either in a chronic state of physiological hyperarousal or they feel this hyperarousal in certain situations. Rather than being aroused to action by anxious feelings, these intense feelings disrupt daily life, interfere with adequate coping, and at times immobilize. There are several types of anxiety disorders and this article seeks to give the reader a brief overview.
Like Janice, those with generalized anxiety disorder suffer from chronic, exaggerated worry. These individuals are always anticipating the worse, excessively worrying about anything that can possibly go wrong. They are unable to relax and have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Often they complain of physical symptoms, such as, trembling, twitching, headaches, nausea, muscle tension, tightness in their chest and feelings of being out of breath. Irritability is frequently present.
Panic disorder is probably the most frightening of the anxiety disorders. People who have panic disorder describe feelings of unexplainable terror that strikes suddenly and repeatedly. Many of the symptoms of a panic attack are physical and it is common for someone to report that they felt like they were going to die.
These symptoms include pounding heart, tightening in the chest, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, tingling, or numbness, and trembling. Some may have one panic attack with no reoccurrence. A panic disorder, however, is more than one attack. Treatment of panic disorder is very important because it can become very debilitating. Some people will avoid places or situations out of fear of another attack. When someone’s life becomes so restricted by fear, it is called agoraphobia. Without treatment one third of individuals who suffer panic attacks develop agoraphobia. (Next Page)
