MYTH or FACT
Medication is the only way to manage anxiety.
Myth. Other treatment like psychotherapy, support groups, and life style changes can be effective ways to manage anxiety
Name 3 types of Anxiety disorders
OCD, GAD, Social anxiety, panic disorder, specific phobia
Name 3 symptoms of a panic attack
Name one consequence of stigma
isolation, delay in treatment or help-seeking, reduced quality of life (feelings of shame, isolation, and hopelessness), worsening the symptoms of depression, increased risk of suicide
Share one new thing you learned today
Great job!
You can die from a panic attack.
Myth. It is not possible to die from a panic attack. Panic attacks are a sudden onset of intense fear and anxiety that can cause physical symptoms. While these symptoms can be very frightening, they are not life-threatening
What does GAD stand for?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Name 3 emotional/mental symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder
Worry, Restlessness, Irritability, Fear, Perfectionism, Apprehension, Tension, Intolerance of uncertainty, Poor concentration, Catastrophizing, Difficulty making decisions, Ruminating
Name 3 false (stigmatizing) beliefs about people with anxiety
That people with anxiety are weak, failures, unstable, or unreliable. That everyone feels anxious and anxiety disorders are just "being dramatic". That only women have anxiety disorders.
Share about a time you felt stressed. How did you cope?
Coping skills are so important in times of stress, great work!
One way to reduce anxiety is to snap a rubber band on your wrist every time you have a bad thought
Myth. Studies show that suppressing your thoughts makes them stronger and more frequent. Think of it this way: The thoughts you resist persist.
Define "obsessions" and "compulsions" to explain OCD.
Obsessions are recurrent or intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety. Compulsions are mental or physical behaviors that people feel compelled to engage in to relieve the anxiety brought by the obsessions.
Name 3 social situations/settings that someone with social anxiety may struggle with.
Speaking in public, Meeting new people, Dating, Job interview, Answering a question in class, Talking to a cashier in a store, Eating or drinking in front of others or using a public restroom
Describe a time you witnessed or experiencing someone stigmatizing anxiety disorders.
Thank you for sharing!
What's one thing you want others to know about your anxiety?
Thank you for sharing that!
Talk therapy is very effective for treating OCD.
Myth. While talk therapy can help people dealing with a range of issues--for instance, depression, relationship issues, and anger management--it can actually make OCD symptoms worse by encouraging rumination. Exposure with Response Prevention is a better intervention for OCD
What is the difference between having a panic attack once and having panic disorder?
Anyone can have a panic attack, but in panic disorder, people experience frequent and recurring panic attacks.
Explain the difference between stress and anxiety
Stress is a short term response to external stressors, whereas anxiety is a lasting condition of worry or fear with or without external stressors. While stress can cause physical symptoms like increased heartrate, the symptoms of anxiety are more intense and include excessive worry and avoidance.
What could you say to educate someone who said "Everyone's a little OCD, it's not a big deal!"
Explain that OCD is a real and debilitating illness. Explain the symptoms and offer a personal story. Explain the impact of minimizing OCD.
What's the hardest symptom to cope with regarding your anxiety or anxiety disorder?
Thank you so much for sharing
Another name for OCD is germophobia
Organization and cleanliness are just two possible ways that OCD manifests. While some people with OCD may have a fear of germs, this is not a criteria of the disorder.
How is social anxiety disorder different from being shy?
Shyness is considered a personality trait, while social anxiety is a mental health condition. While both shyness and social anxiety disorder can involve feeling uncomfortable in social situations, social anxiety is much more severe.
Name 3 different categories of OCD obsessions.
Contamination/cleanliness, symmetry/organization, harm to others, relationships, health, religious, taboo thoughts, hoarding, doubt, superstition
Name 2 ways to fight against stigma
education, empathy, open and honest conversations, media representation, expanded mental health access, policies to reduce discrimination
What's one thing you can do to reduce stigma about anxiety disorders?
Even little things can make a big difference