Anxiety Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
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Anxiety Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment
Anxiety is a part of everyday life; everyone feels it from time to time. However, when the feeling of anxiety is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable, and overwhelming to everyday situations, then they might have an anxiety disorder. According to Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) (2010), "Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting children and adults. An estimated 40 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. They are highly treatable, yet only one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment” (Understanding Anxiety, para. 5). There are several different types of anxiety disorders. The four most common disorders are: Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Each of these disorders is characterized by common symptoms and can be caused by different things. This paper will discuss the diagnosis of each and their treatment.
Disorders Diagnosis
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense, paralyzing fear of something that perhaps should be feared, but the fear is excessive and unreasonable (Morris, C.G., & Maisto, A.A. (2002). Some of the symptoms associated with specific phobias can include a feeling of imminent danger, the need to escape, fear of losing control, and heart palpitations. These are just of few of the symptoms. There are many more. The treatment for this disorder will be discussed later in the paper.
Panic Disorder
A panic disorder is the feeling of intense terror without cause. Someone who experiences panic attacks is often left with the fear of having another attack. Panic attacks do not last long, usually only a few minutes. Some of the symptoms associated with panic disorders include feeling intense fear, heart beats rapidly, shortness of breath, fear of losing control, and dizziness. Once again, these are just a few of the symptoms. I...
Anxiety is a part of everyday life; everyone feels it from time to time. However, when the feeling of anxiety is persistent, seemingly uncontrollable, and overwhelming to everyday situations, then they might have an anxiety disorder. According to Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) (2010), "Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting children and adults. An estimated 40 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. They are highly treatable, yet only one-third of those suffering from an anxiety disorder receive treatment” (Understanding Anxiety, para. 5). There are several different types of anxiety disorders. The four most common disorders are: Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Each of these disorders is characterized by common symptoms and can be caused by different things. This paper will discuss the diagnosis of each and their treatment.
Disorders Diagnosis
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense, paralyzing fear of something that perhaps should be feared, but the fear is excessive and unreasonable (Morris, C.G., & Maisto, A.A. (2002). Some of the symptoms associated with specific phobias can include a feeling of imminent danger, the need to escape, fear of losing control, and heart palpitations. These are just of few of the symptoms. There are many more. The treatment for this disorder will be discussed later in the paper.
Panic Disorder
A panic disorder is the feeling of intense terror without cause. Someone who experiences panic attacks is often left with the fear of having another attack. Panic attacks do not last long, usually only a few minutes. Some of the symptoms associated with panic disorders include feeling intense fear, heart beats rapidly, shortness of breath, fear of losing control, and dizziness. Once again, these are just a few of the symptoms. I...