• Anxiety Disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses. A total of 13.3 percent or 19.1 million people will experience an Anxiety Disorder in their lifetime. As many as 3 to 5 percent of children suffer from these disorders.
• A total of 13.3 percent or 19.1 million people will experience an Anxiety Disorder in their lifetime. As many as 3 to 5 percent of children suffer from these disorders.
Shakiness |
Tension |
Upset stomach |
Jumpiness |
Fatigue |
Worry |
Muscle aches |
Feel irritable |
Fear a bad thing will happen |
Trembling |
High heart rate |
|
• Anxiety Disorders appear to have a biological, genetic link. These disorders tend to run in families.
• Some researchers believe Anxiety Disorders are caused by an increase in the adrenaline system.
• Another possible cause of Anxiety Disorders is an abnormality in the part of the brain stem that controls alertness.
• Abnormalities in other parts of the brain have been suggested as the cause of Anxiety Disorders. However, no definite area in the brain has been proven to cause the disorders.
• Medications can be effective in treating Anxiety Disorders. Some medications that are used are Benzodiazepines (relaxants), such as Valium or Xanax. These medications relieve anxiety, relax muscles, and induce sleep. Anti-depressants are also used to relieve the symptoms of Anxiety Disorders; however, it usually takes 6 to 7 weeks for the medication to be effective. Note: these are not addictive in small doses.
• Options in treating Anxiety Disorders are behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and relaxation techniques.
• An important way to reduce problems with anxiety is to reduce caffeine intake.
There are a variety of types of Anxiety Disorders; the most common types of disorders are the following:
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder – The Symptoms of anxiety last for 6 months or longer. It affects 2.8 percent of 4 million people.
• Panic Disorders – 3 percent of the population suffer from this disorder. A person with this disorder will experience intense attacks of anxiety, called a panic attack, which lasts for 5 to 30 minutes. The person may feel like he/she is having a heart attack; symptoms include choking, numbness, chest pain, fear he/she is dying, or doing something uncontrollable. For a diagnosis to be made, a person must have four attacks in a month or experience four weeks of fear of having another one.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – 2.3 percent or 3.3 million of the population will be diagnosed with this disorder. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has two components: (1) obsessive thoughts and (2) person may have thoughts of harming another person. The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, but cannot. Compulsions are repeated. Senseless behaviors are performed in response to obsessions or according to certain rules. For example, a person may wash his/her hands repeatedly. This behavior is meant to prevent or neutralize anxiety.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – 3.6 percent or 5.2 million of the population will be diagnosed with this disorder. A person with this disorder will experience a brief state of anxiety or depression after an occurrence such as rape, war, hostage, natural disaster, abuse, or a serious accident. Symptoms usually appear within 3 months or longer.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Bourn, Edmund
Mending Minds by Heston, Leonard
Triumph Over Fear by Ross, Jerilyn
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Guide by University of Wisconsin
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders by Levenkron, Steven
The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing by Rapoport, Judith
The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource: http://www.algy.com
If you or someone you know would like more information on mental illness
or wish to request an educational presentation, please contact:
NAMI IOWA (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 outside of Des Moines