We’ve all felt it at times—the anxiety before a test, big game, or interview; the fear of walking down a dark street or hearing a strange sound when home alone. Fear and anxiety are normal and necessary parts of life. They keep us alert and can be protective. However, the more than 19 million Americans with anxiety disorders face much more than just "normal" anxiety. Instead, their lives are filled with overwhelming anxiety and fear that invade their thoughts and make it difficult to function in daily life. Luckily, there are effective treatments available.
Take the quiz below to learn some important and helpful facts about anxiety disorders.
a. Stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
b. Anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, depression, alcohol addiction
c. Autism, anorexia, learning disabilities, dyslexia, migraines
d. Alzheimer's, Tourette syndrome, Parkinson's, brain tumor
e. All of the above
True or False?
True or False?
a. Depression
b. Schizophrenia
c. Anxiety disorders
a. Anxiety disorders
b. Type 1 diabetes
c. High blood pressure
d. All of the above
a. Chest pains
b. Dizziness
c. Nausea or stomach problems
d. Fear of dying
e. All of the above
True or False?
Answer: e. All of the above
Brain research demonstrates
that disorders as different as
stroke
,
anxiety disorders
,
alcohol
addiction
,
anorexia nervosa
, learning disabilities, and
Alzheimer's
all
have their roots in the brain. Every American will be affected at
some point in his or her life, either personally or by a family
member's struggle, with a brain disorder.
Answer: False
People who
have experienced a traumatic event or ordeal, such as a tornado, a
rape or mugging, a fire, or a car accident, are at risk for developing
PTSD
. People with this anxiety disorder repeatedly relive the
trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections
during the day. They may also experience sleep problems,
depression
, feeling detached or numb, or being easily startled.
Answer: True
A person plagued by the urgent need to engage
in certain rituals, or tormented by unwelcome thoughts or images,
may have an anxiety disorder called
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
. Most healthy people can
identify with having some of the symptoms of OCD, such as checking
the stove several times before leaving the house. But the disorder
is diagnosed only when such activities take up at least one hour a
day, are very distressing, and interfere with daily life. OCD
affects men and women equally. It can appear in childhood,
adolescence, or adulthood, but on the average, it first shows up in
the teens or early adulthood.
Answer: c. Anxiety disorders
More than 19 million Americans suffer from
anxiety disorders
, which
include
panic disorder
,
obsessive-compulsive disorder
,
post-traumatic stress disorder
, phobias, and
generalized anxiety
disorders
.
Answer: d. All of the above
Anxiety
disorders
,
type 1 diabetes
, and
high blood pressure
are all real medical
illnesses. Unfortunately, misconceptions about mental illnesses like anxiety disorders still exist. Because many people believe mental illness is a sign of personal weakness, the condition is often left untreated. However, scientists have shown that anxiety disorders are
often related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the
person, and they frequently run in families. It is essential that anxiety disorders be recognized, as there are treatments available that can help control the disease and improve people’s lives.
Answer: e. All of the
above
Panic disorder
is characterized by unexpected and
repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms
that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of
breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These sensations often
mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other life-threatening medical
conditions. Left untreated, people with panic disorder can develop
so many phobias about places or situations where panic attacks have
occurred that they become housebound.
If panic disorder is not treated, a person can develop phobias about the places or situations where panic attacks occurred. As these phobias intensify, a person’s life becomes severely limited, in some cases, to the point of being afraid to leave home.
Answer: True
It is common for an
anxiety disorder
to
accompany
depression
, eating disorders (
anorexia nervosa
and
bulimia nervosa
), substance
abuse (
alcoholism
and
drug abuse
), or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also
co-exist with illnesses such as
heart disease
,
high blood
pressure
,
irritable bowel syndrome
, thyroid conditions, and
migraine headaches
. In such cases, the accompanying
disorders will also need to be treated.
Before beginning any treatment, it is important to have a thorough medical exam to determine if other conditions are contributing to the anxiety disorder.
Answer: False
Many people misunderstand mental illnesses, including
anxiety disorders
, and think people should be able to overcome
the symptoms by sheer willpower. Wishing the symptoms away does not
work—but there are treatments that can help. Treatment for anxiety
disorders often involves medication, specific forms of
psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Resources:
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
http://www.adaa.org
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org
Source:
National Institute of Mental
Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Last reviewed July 2003 by Richard Glickman-Simon, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.