Types of Anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Specific Phobias
• Panic Disorder
• PTSD
• OCD

Difference in Fear and Anxiety

• Fear is usually a response to a definite consciously recognized  external source of danger, and it subsides once the danger is gone.

• Anxiety is less focused on a specific danger, has a larger unconscious component, and is more likely to be out of proportion  to the actual risk involved.

"Situational" vs. "Free Floating" Anxiety

• "Situational" anxiety refers to symptoms clearly associated with a specific stress.

• "Free-floating" anxiety involves apprehension not clearly linked to a specific situation.

Causes of Anxiety

• Psychological Factors (Intense Fear)
• Biological Factors (Genetic Vulnerability)
• Physical Illness (Hypothyroidism) 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• a general state of hyperarousal, present for at least six months
• was once known as "anxiety neurosis", since in the absence of easily identifiable stressors
• Symptoms: Motor Tension, Cognitive Dysfunction, Irritability, Sleep Disturbance
• Treatment: initially of symptomatic relief in the  form of antianxiety medication or supportive psychotherapy,followed by more intensive dynamic psychotherapy or behavior therapy to relieve or revise the underlying causative factors.

Specific Phobias

-a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that results in a compelling desire to avoid what is feared

-only when the fear or avoidant behavior becomes so severe that it significantly impairs ability to function that the diagnosis of a Phobic Disorder is warranted.

-Subcategories: Situational, Animal, Natural Environment, Blood Injection Injury,

-Treament is highly successful with education of situation and to use this to promote relaxation

Panic Disorder

-Probably one of the most dramatic and distressing psychiatric conditions. It consists of discrete episodes of extreme fear and apprehension, accompanied by the normal somatic responses to  life-threatening danger( shortness of breath, palpitations, chest discomfort, choking sensations, dizziness, derealization or depersonalization, paresthesias, hot or cold flashes, sweating, faintness, tremors, nausea or diarrhea,) that come on suddenly, often unpredictably and without provocation.

-Treatment is complicated by the above, but highly effective. The physical response can be blocked or blunted with medications (usually a benzodiazepine initially, followed by a tricyclic antidepressant or MAO inhibitor for maintenance). Behavior therapy can gradually overcome the phobic responses, and support

      groups are often very helpful to restore self-esteem and confidence.

PTSD

-This condition arises as a response to an overwhelming stress outside the realm of normal human experience (combat, natural disaster, rape or assault, etc.).

--The event is reexperienced in the form of intrusive and painful  memories, nightmares, etc. Often the person reacts as if reliving  the experience.

-Treatment: good with supportive of group psychotherapy 

-a lot of cases develop substance abuse

 --"Psychic numbing" also occurs in the form of decreased

  responsiveness to or interest in the environment, avoidant

  behavior, restricted affect, etc.

 --Marked symptoms of anxiety or increased arousal (hypervigilance,  difficulty sleeping, exaggerated startle reflex, etc.).

OCD

-relatively rare disorder which person has persistent ideas that cause anxiety or stress and/or uses compulsions to relieve anxiety or depression not provide pleasure

--Usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood.

--OCD has a genetic risk component, and resembles a neurological dysfunction of the anxiety system.

--Treatment is difficult, and usually involves a combination of medication to suppress the anxiety response, coupled with behavioral psychotherapy.

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