ANXIETY

Overview
• What is Anxiety?
• What are the different types of anxiety
disorders?
• What are the causes?
• What are the symptoms?
• What are the treatments?
• Conclusion
 Definition of Anxiety
• Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The
source of this uneasiness is not always known or
recognized, which can add to the distress you
feel.

• Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric

conditions that involve excessive anxiety.
 Anxiety Facts
• Anxiety disorders cost more than $42 billion a year.

• More than $22 billion are associated with the repeated

use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety
disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical
illnesses.

• Anxiety is highly treatable (up to 90% of cases), but only

one-third of those who suffer from it receive treatment

2003 Anxiety Disorders Association of America

• People with an anxiety disorder are three-
to-five times more likely to go to the doctor
and six times more likely to be hospitalized
for psychiatric disorders than non-
sufferers.

• Depression often accompanies anxiety

disorders
 Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Panic Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Phobias

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

 Panic Disorder

• A panic attack is a sudden, intense fear or

anxiety that may make you short of breath.

• The abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or

discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10
minutes,
 Includes at least four of the
following symptoms:

• A feeling of imminent danger or doom • Nausea or abdominal discomfort

• The need to escape • Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Palpitations • A sense of things being unreal,
• Sweating depersonalization
• Trembling • A fear of losing control or "going crazy
• Shortness of breath or a smothering • A fear of dying
feeling • Tingling sensations
• A feeling of choking • Chills or hot flushes
• Chest pain or discomfort
 Panic Disorder

There are three types of Panic Attacks:

1. Unexpected - the attack "comes out of the blue"

without warning and for no discernable reason.

2. Situational - situations in which an individual

always has an attack, for example, upon entering a
tunnel.
 CONTI…………
3. Situation ally Predisposed
- situations in which an individual is likely to
have a Panic Attack, but does not always
have one. An example of this would be an
individual who sometimes has attacks
while driving.
 Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a
mental disorder characterized by intrusive
thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive
behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by
combinations of such thoughts (obsessions)
and behaviors (compulsion).
 CONTI……………
• Obsessions are recurring thoughts or
impulses that are intrusive or inappropriate
and cause the sufferer anxiety:

– Persistent doubts, for example, whether or not

one has turned off the iron or stove, locked the
door or turned on the answering machine;
 Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals performed
by the OCD sufferer, performance of these rituals
neutralize the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts, relief
is only temporary.

– Cleaning. Repeatedly washing their hands, showering, or

constantly cleaning their home;
– Checking. Individuals may check several or even hundreds of
times to make sure that stoves are turned off and doors are
locked;
– Repeating. Some repeat a name, phrase or action over and over;
– Slowness. Some individuals may take an excessively slow and
methodical approach to daily activities, they may spend hours
organizing and arranging objects;
– Hoarding. Hoarders are unable to throw away useless items, such
as old newspapers, junk mail, even broken appliances
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Exposure to traumas such as a serious

accident, a natural disaster, or criminal
assault can result in PTSD. When the
aftermath of a traumatic experience
interferes with normal functioning, the
person may be suffering from PTSD.
 Symptoms of PTSD

– Reexperiencing the event, which can take

the form of intrusive thoughts and
recollections, or recurrent dreams;

– Avoidance behavior in which the sufferer

avoids activities, situations, people,and/or
conversations which he/she associates
with the trauma;
 CONTI…………
– A general numbness and loss of interest in
surroundings;

– Hypersensitivity, including: inability to sleep,

anxious feelings, overactive startle response,
hyper vigilance, irritability and outbursts of
anger.
 Social Phobia/Anxiety

• Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is an

intense fear of social situations. This fear arises when the
individual believes that they may be judged, scrutinized or
humiliated by others.
• Individuals with the disorder are acutely aware of the
physical signs of their anxiety and fear that others will
notice, judge them, and think poorly of them.

• In extreme cases this intense uneasiness can progress

into a full blown panic attack.
 Social Phobia/Anxiety
• Common anxiety provoking social situations include:
– public speaking
– talking with people in authority
– dating and developing close relationships
– making a phone call or answering the phone
– interviewing
– attending and participating in class
– speaking with strangers
– meeting new people
– eating, drinking, or writing in public
– using public bathrooms
– driving
– shopping
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Excessive uncontrollable worry about

everyday things. This constant worry
affects daily functioning and can cause
physical symptoms.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• The focus of GAD worry can shift, usually
focusing on issues like job, finances,
health of both self and family; but it can
also include more mundane issues such
as, chores, car repairs and being late for
appointments
 Common Causes
• There is no one cause for anxiety disorders. Several
factors can play a role
– Genetics
– Brain biochemistry
– Overactive "fight or flight" response
• Can be caused by too much stress
– Life circumstances
– Personality
• People who have low self-esteem and poor coping skills may be more prone
• Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead
to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or
withdrawal from the drug.
• In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland
(pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety.
 Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotion often accompanied by

various physical symptoms, including:
• Twitching or trembling
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress
especially in a child)
 Additional Symptoms of Anxiety

Sometimes other symptoms accompany

anxiety:
• Dizziness
• Rapid or irregular heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
• Fatigue
• Irritability, including loss of your temper
• Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
• Decreased concentration
• Sexual problems
 Social Effects of Anxiety
• Depression

– Not as involved with family and friends the

way you used to be
– Lowered quality of relationships
– Low energy
– Lack of motivation to do the things you once
looked forward to doing
• Unable to convey the person that you are

• Fear and avoidance of situations where

previous attacks occurred
 Allopathic Treatments
• Medications (Drug Therapy):
• Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
 Alternative Treatments
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Breathing Exercises
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Vitamins
• Self Love
 Acupuncture
• Caused by the imbalance of chi coming about by
keeping emotions in for too long
• Emotion effects the chi to move in an abnormal
way: when fearful it goes to the floor, when
angry the neck and shoulders tighten
• Redirects the chi into a balanced flow, releases
tension in the muscles, increases flow of blood,
lymph, and nerve impulses to affected areas
• Takes 10-12 weekly sessions
 Aromatherapy
• Calming Effect: vanilla, orange blossom, rose,
chamomile, and lavender
• Reducing Stress: Lavender, sandalwood, and
nutmeg
• Uplifting Oils: Bergamot, geranium, juniper, and
lavender
• Essential Oil Combination: 3 parts lavender, 2
parts bergamot, and 1 part sandalwood
 Exercise
• Benefits: symbolic meaning of the activity, the
distraction from worries, mastery of a sport,
effects on self image, biochemical and
physiological changes associated with
exercise, symbolic meaning of the sport
• Helps by expelling negative emotions and
adrenaline out of your body in order to enter a
more relaxed, calm state to deal with issues
and conflicts
 Meditation
• Cultivates calmness to create a sense of control
over life
• Practice: Sit quietly in a position comfortable to
you and take a few deep breaths to relax your
muscles, next choose a calming phrase (such as
“om” or that with great significance to you),
silently repeat the word or phrase for 20 minutes
 Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Foods to Eat: whole grains, bananas,
asparagus, garlic, brown rice, green and leafy
veggies, soy products, yogurt
• Foods to Avoid: coffee, alcohol, sugar, strong
spices, highly acidic foods, foods with white flour
• Keep a diary of the foods you eat and your
anxiety attacks; after awhile you may be able to
see a correlation
• East small, frequent meals
 Vitamins
• B-Vitamins stabilize the body’s lactate levels
which cause anxiety attacks (B-6, B-1, B-3)
• Calcium (a natural tranquilizer) and magnesium
relax the nervous system; taken in combination
before bed improves sleep
• Vitamin C taken in large doses also has a
tranquilizing effect
• Potassium helps with proper functioning of
adrenal glands
• Zinc has a calming effect on the nervous system
 Self Love
• The most important holistic treatment of all

• Laugh: be able to laugh at yourself and with

others; increases endorphin levels and
decreases stress hormones

• Let go of frustrations
 CONTI………….
• Do not judge self harshly: don’t expect
more from yourself than you do others

• Accept your faults

 CONCLUSION
• Anxiety is part of life, it need to be there

• Its is neither healthy nor desirable to be rid

of it forever. Sadly, this is what most
sufferers are doing, trying their best not to
feel anxious
 CONTI…………….
• Don't keep hiding and running away from anxiety
attack. Left untreated, anxiety attack will slowly
take over your life, seriously crippling your ability
to live a normal healthy lifestyle.

• Take action now , take control of your life and

make an effort to overcome anxiety attack!
Fight Anxiety Attacks with Logic

• Anxiety Answer:

• You are in control of your thoughts. If you

allow anxiety and boredom to dominate
your thinking, eventually your mental state
will compromise your physical health.
 CONTI………….
• Without correct information and proper direction,
many people suffer needless pain and anxiety.

• As a person comes to understand the logic

behind anxiety, he can learn to quickly catch
subtle warning signals far in advance of the
"attack," thereby preventing the more serious
symptoms
The End