MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT
February 16, 2001
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things." - Robert Brault
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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OUTLOOK
http://www.rho.org
Visitors to this site will find reviews on clinical guidelines,
research summaries and program information about 11 reproductive
health topics, including infertility, men and reproductive health,
HIV/AIDS, and cervical cancer. The site also provides online
resources to news services, conference updates, online reproductive
health journals and major bibliographic databases.
* * * * * * * * * *
APRIL 18, 2001: SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT PEER
RELATIONS PRECONFERENCE, Minneapolis, MN
Researchers, postdoctoral fellows and advanced graduate students
who have begun a program of research in peer relations are
invited to attend this full-day conference. The registration
deadline is MARCH 1. CONTACT: Deborah Lowe Vandell, Department
of Educational Psychology, Room 467, 1025 W. Johnson St.,
Madison, WI 53706; Email: dvandell@facstaff.wisc.edu;
WEB SITE: http://alsek.la.psu.edu/peers
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ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders are the most common - and most treatable-
type of mental health problem. We all feel anxious now and
then. Anxiety prepares the body to meet a challenge, danger
or an unfamiliar situation. However, there is a difference
between everyday anxiety and having an anxiety disorder.
People with anxiety disorders:
* feel overwhelming tension when there is no real
danger
* take extreme action to avoid the source of their
anxiety.
Anxiety disorders can severely disrupt a person's work,
social and family life.
Millions of people have anxiety disorders. It is often
difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a disorder. However,
proper treatment can help most people overcome anxiety disorders.
Phobias
Phobias are irrational fears of certain objects or
situations. There are three main types of phobias:
Simple (or single) Phobias
These are fears of specific objects or situations, for
example:
* flying
* snakes or insects
* dogs or other animals
* elevators or other closed spaces
* heights
Social Phobias
These are fears of being judged by others or doing
something that is embarrassing. Some common social phobias
include fear of:
* meeting new people
* public speaking
* using public restrooms
Agoraphobia
This is the fear of places or situations that do not feel
safe. For example, a person may fear:
* going anywhere without a spouse or friend
* being inside a building with a crowd
Phobias have certain characteristics. People with phobias
are:
Overcome With Feelings of Terror
This occurs when there is no actual threat to their health
or safety. When they encounter their feared object or
situation:
* their heart races
* breathing is difficult
* they tremble or sweat
Determined to Avoid Their Fear
This happens even though it may disrupt their daily life.
For example, they may:
* drive only on little-used roads
* leave home only to go to work
* refuse a promotion because it involves traveling
or meeting new people
Panic Disorders
Panic disorders involve repeated panic attacks or the
persistent fear of having panic attacks.
Panic Attacks Are Frightening
During an attack, the person experiences:
* a sense of terror or doom
* physical signs, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating,
dizziness, nausea and shallow breathing
* feelings of approaching death, losing control or
"going crazy"
Panic Attacks Occur Unexpectedly
There is no way to predict when a panic attack will happen.
However, the person may think the situation or place where
the first attack occurred will immediately trigger another
attack. To avoid this possibility, he/she avoids the place
or situation.
A Panic Disorder May Lead to Agoraphobia
For example:
* A person may have a panic attack in a store. As a
result, he/she may begin to avoid shopping.
* Another attack may strike while driving or riding
on the highway. As a result, the person may also
try to avoid the highway as well.
* If panic attacks continue, the person may become
unable to leave his/her own home, a room, or even
a single bed or chair.
Other Types of Anxiety Disorders
General Anxiety
This is excessive and lasting anxiety about 2 or more things,
for no rational reason. For example, the person may worry
about money and work, even though his/her financial
situation and job are secure. As a result, the person may
feel keyed up, have trouble sleeping, be irritable, etc.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a delayed reaction to a traumatic event, such as
a war experience, car crash, or violent attack. The person
may re-experience the event through:
* flashbacks in which the person relives or "sees"
the event again
* nightmares
* sudden, intense emotions
Obsessive-compulsive Disorders
These involve:
* OBSESSIONS - repeated, unwanted thoughts (for example,
worrying constantly about picking up germs and
getting sick as a result).
* COMPULSIONS - repeated actions to relieve the
tension caused by the obsession (for example, washing
hands after every contact with a possible source of
germs.
TREATMENT
Regardless of the type of anxiety disorder, it can be
successfully treated. Treatment may include:
Cognitive/Behavior Therapy
This involves:
* learning to replace negative thoughts and behaviors
with positive ones
* gradually learning new coping skills like controlled
breathing and other relaxation exercises
Psychotherapy
This type of counseling can be helpful when used with
cognitive/behavior therapy. Through discussions with a
therapist (and, in some cases, a group of people with
similar problems), the person can work on:
* resolving conflicts associated with his/her
anxiety disorder
* reducing general anxiety
* expressing feelings
Medications
Drugs may be used with other forms of treatment to help
reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders. It may take
time to find the most effective medication and dosage.
Other Treatments
A healthy lifestyle can help a person manage stress.
Changes in nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and alcohol
and drug use can also make a difference.
Can anxiety disorders lead to other mental health problems?
Yes, it is possible. Among the problems associated with
untreated anxiety disorders are:
* depression
* alcohol or other drug abuse
Does having an anxiety disorder mean that I am "crazy"?
No. It means you have a very common condition which is
potentially disabling without proper treatment.
Can my heart stop during a panic attack?
Not likely. Many people having their first panic attack
think they are having a heart attack. Some go to the
emergency room of the hospital and find out that there is
nothing wrong with their heart.
What can I do if a family member has an anxiety disorder?
Learn more about anxiety disorders and how they affect families.
if possible, get involved in your loved one's treatment
program.
How long does treatment take?
It varies by individual. Any successful treatment takes
time and effort. However, the results are worth it.
Where to get help:
* local mental health center
* mental health departments of local hospitals or clinics
* anxiety disorder clinics
* psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors
You can get help or referral to a specialist through:
* your physician or HMO
* your Employee Assistance Program
* your state social services or mental health department
* mental health associations
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For further information on this topic and to search for and purchase
books about this and other topics online, go to the search engine
below and begin by trying the following descriptors: Anxiety,
Anxiety disorders, stress, Anxiety and work, phobias, anxiety and
treatment, anxiety and medications, anxiety and panic attacks,
obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety and cognitive-behavioral
treatment, anxiety and relaxation, agoraphobia, social phobias, tension, etc
https://www.angelfire.com/biz/odochartaigh/searchbooks.html
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Contact your local Mental Health Center or
check the yellow pages for counselors, psychologists,
therapists, and other Mental health Professionals in
your area for further information.
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George W. Doherty
O'Dochartaigh Associates
Box 786
Laramie, WY 82073-0786
MENTAL HEALTH MOMENT online: https://www.angelfire.com/biz3/news
