Statistics
Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. True or False
True
Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms.
What is True
Name four types of anxiety disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias
3 common types of treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Medication, Psychotherapy, Complimentary Health Approaches (holistic health approaches)
Two common groups of medications used to treat anxiety
anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants
Over 40 million of US adults have an anxiety disorder. Provide the percentage of the population
19.1%
Name two common causes for Anxiety
Genetics and Environment
Name some features of GAD
GAD produces chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life. This worrying can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish daily tasks. A person with GAD may become exhausted by worry and experience headaches, tension or nausea.
The most researched psychotherapy method for treating Anxiety Disorders
CBT
Yoga, exercise, stress reduction/relaxation techniques, and self-management strategies have been found to be effective in recovery for anxiety disorders in conjunction with conventional treatment
True
What percentage of children ages 3-17 experience issues with anxiety each year
7%
Name one thing all anxiety disorders have in common
Persistent, excessive worry in situations that are non-threatening
Name some features of Social Anxiety Disorder
More than shyness, this disorder causes intense fear about social interaction, often driven by irrational worries about humiliation (e.g. saying something stupid or not knowing what to say). Someone with social anxiety disorder may not take part in conversations, contribute to class discussions or offer their ideas, and may become isolated. Panic attacks are a common reaction to anticipated or forced social interaction.
Exposure Response Prevention is another common psychotherapy intervention used to treat anxiety disorders
What is True
Self-management strategies
allowing for specific periods of time for worrying. Someone who becomes an expert on their condition and its triggers gains more control over their day.
Most people develop symptoms of Anxiety before this age
21
Name four common physical symptoms associated with the majority of anxiety disorders.
Pounding or Racing heart and shortness of breath
Sweating, tremors, and twitches
headaches, fatigue, and insomnia
Upset stomach, frequent urination, and diarrhea
Name features of Panic Disorder
This disorder is characterized by panic attacks and sudden feelings of terror sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. Often mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful physical symptoms including chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and stomach upset. Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid an attack, including social isolation.
The focus of CBT interventions include:
Finding counterproductive thinking patterns that contribute to anxiety and offering constructive strategies to reduce beliefs and behaviors that contribute to anxiety
Stress reduction/relaxation techniques
often combine breathing exercises and focused attention to calm the mind and body. These techniques can be an important component in treating phobias or panic disorder.
The difference between common feelings of anxiety and anxiety disorder
We all experience feelings of anxiety. This may be situational but can also motivate us. Anxiety disorders are associated with feelings of intense fear and distress that become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities
Name for common emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders
feelings of apprehension or dread
feeling tense or jumpy
restlessness or irritability
anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger
Features or criteria for Phobias
We all tend to avoid certain things or situations that make us uncomfortable or even fearful. But for someone with a phobia, certain places, events or objects create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear. Most people with specific phobias have several things that can trigger those reactions; to avoid panic, they will work hard to avoid their triggers. Depending on the type and number of triggers, attempts to control fear can take over a person’s life.
Exposure Response Prevention therapy
psychotherapy for a specific anxiety disorders like phobias and social anxiety. Its aim is to help a person develop a more constructive response to a fear. The goal is for a person to “expose” themselves to that which they fear, in an attempt to experience less anxiety over time and develop effective coping tools.
Yoga
The combination of physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation found in yoga have helped many people improve the management of their anxiety disorder.