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How Common are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a diverse group of  similar psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders have the common elements of unusually high levels of fear accompanied by anxiety and behavioral abnormalities. The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders in its fifth edition (denoted as DSM-5) is the most recent publication which provides the definition and statistics regarding psychological disorders. The DSM-5 considers generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder, phobias and substance-induced anxiety to belong to the spectrum of anxiety disorders (Emedicine.medscape.com, 2018).

Anxiety disorders have high prevalence among all the psychiatric and mental health disorders. Anxiety disorders often occur in conjunction with another major psychiatric ailment, depression. Worldwide, the prevalence of depression was expected to be three hundred million as of year 2015. Anxiety and depression often co-exist so there is an overlapping prevalence of both the disorders. Similar prevalence of various anxiety disorders also exists.  Anxiety disorders pose a huge burden of disease with respect to disability. Anxiety disorders are ranked as the sixth largest contributor to worldwide disability standing at 3.4 percent contribution to global disability. Anxiety disorders resulted in a sum of 24.6 million years lost to disability in 2015 alone (Apps.who.int, 2018).

Do you know how common is anxiety? As per 2015 estimates, 3.6 percent of the people of the world suffer from one or the other form of an anxiety disorder. There are a total of two hundred and sixty four million people living in the world who suffer from anxiety. Anxiety and depression both have higher prevalence in the female population compared to the male population with 4.6 percent of females suffering from these disorders compared to 3.6% of the males. Females have nearly double the prevalence than males. When age groups are compared for prevalence, no significant differences exist between the different age-groups except for the elderly, who show a relatively lower prevalence. (Apps.who.int, 2018) How common is anxiety? Now, this question does not carry any importance. How to find a solution, this is important.

Although yearly data and statistical figures have their own importance, lifetime-prevalence is considered to be the most significant statistical figure in understanding the impact of the disease. The twelve months prevalence figures merely suggest the number of people having an anxiety disorder currently. The probability of people acquiring an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives is predicted on the basis of past life-time prevalence statistics.

The following expresses the probability of an individual acquiring an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives:

Any of the anxiety disorders 28.8%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) 5.7%
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 1.6%
Panic disorder (PD) 4.7%
Social phobia 12.1%
Specific (other) phobia 12.5%

 

References

Apps.who.int. (2018). [Online] Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf;jsessionid=73BCB4A79B8729A7D4218C2125BEFA2A?sequence=1 [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].

Emedicine.medscape.com. (2018). Anxiety Disorders: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology. [online] Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286227-overview?pa=gF4MN9UD9tp%2Bo3F%2BizsZ9QwHkb2HRa%2FehEUmZABPnN%2BcxowQo3c%2B3CWCa%2F8KMQWh6p6oWviy8uflye2V0IfCGtRNZ1wOcAGVEOAmcrMialo%3D [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].

 

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The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Hoarding Disorder


There has been a lot of media attention lately on the condition known as hoarding. We all know someone that we may describe as a “pack rat” and they do not like to throw things away or feel like the items may be necessary later on, hoarding is something different. While a person who, for example, grew up in the depression era may refuse to throw things away because they learned growing up that every little thing may literally be needed later on or could be sold for money, hoarding is an anxiety based condition that will not allow a person to throw away things, and there will not be any logical reason for it. This is the hoarding disorder definition. The problem appears to be very minor but it could take a serious form.

Hoarding is an anxiety-based condition where the person has, “persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value” and will keep doing so despite any risk or consequence, for example, losing touch with friends and family members due to hoarding behavior, or losing property due to the poor condition of their homes and yards. You must look into hoarding disorder causes. Consult with the online counselor if necessary.

The person has an irrational fear of parting with this stuff, and will keep it no matter what it is, even if it is garbage, or obviously unsanitary. It is often related to, or coincides with, an obsessive-compulsive disorder, which was likely how the anxiety disorder originated.

A person who has a hoarding disorder is often easier to see than others, as there is so much physical evidence of their condition.

Hoarding disorder symptoms often include:

• Inability to throw away possessions
• Severe anxiety when attempting to discard items
• Great difficulty categorizing or organizing possessions
• Indecision about what to keep or where to put things
• Distress, such as feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed by possessions
• Suspicion of other people touching items
• Obsessive thoughts and actions: fear of running out of an item or of needing it in the future; checking the   trash for accidentally discarded objects
• Functional impairments, including loss of living space, social isolation, family or marital discord, financial difficulties, health hazards

Hoarding is an anxiety based disorder that responds well to treatment. A common issue for people suffering from this disorder is aiding them to see that they need help, and to seek it. Most anxiety-based disorders are treatable, it’s just hard to start the process, as the thing that reduces the anxiety is the hoarding, which is the problem. It may then spiral out of control as the more hoarding eases the anxiety, the more the anxiety is dependent on the hoarding behavior, and the person dependent on it as well. Please consult with the experts to learn more about hoarding disorder symptoms.

Hoarding can be a sad and dangerous condition. It can break up families, ruin homes and property, and in extreme cases put lives at risk. Help is available and out there. Taking the first step may be the hardest, which is reaching out for help, but with that call comes help and hope. Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and therapists are all qualified to treat someone with anxiety disorders, such as hoarding.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

The Fight/Flight/or Freeze Response

There is a stranger in your house. You can hear the noise, but you are not sure who it is, or what they want. Without thinking anything, your body is already gearing up for some sort of action. Your neurochemistry is subtly changing, and your autonomic nervous system is firing rapidly, and all of this is taking place in less than the blink of an eye. What you are experiencing is the fight/flight/or freeze reflex to stress.

The fight/flight/or freeze response is an inherent trait that almost all humans have. It was a response that, likely millions of years ago, served our distant ancestors well, and helped keep them alive and safe, which led to that specific trait being passed down to all of us through the ages. During this near instantaneous reaction, the body quickly gears up to react in some way in order to ensure its survival. The freeze stress response is very common.

The fight/flight/or freeze response does not have to be taught, and so long as a person’s body is functioning relatively normally, they can experience this stress response. When presented with an immediate stressor, the body releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. The heart rate elevates, and blood is directed away from the organs and toward the arms and legs to enable fighting or fleeing. Less energy is expended on functions such as thought and digestion because all of the body’s capabilities are mobilized to respond to stress. This explains why the response causes immediate reaction with no thought required, or likely possible; the energy the body is providing is going to act, not to think. The brain is effectively left out of this loop. You will find many fight or flight response examples and it is possible to learn from them.

While this was an effective evolutionary reaction to danger and threats when we as a species fought for survival, now it is often not a useful response when a person is getting agitated in a traffic jam or has to speak in front of a conference.

The fight/flight or freeze stress response is what activates when the brain identifies a threat, and that threat can be anything, even things that are not a physical danger, like public speaking. The fight/flight/freeze response does not easily differentiate between actual threat, like the above example of someone breaking into your home, and a perceived threat, such as public speaking. You can suddenly face the situation of freeze flight or fight.

The fight/flight/freeze response is at its most helpful during short, intense periods of danger. There are many flight freeze examples that can give you lessons.

When a person experiences this response over a prolonged period of time, or repeatedly, it can lead to health problems, including an anxiety disorder.  The key to effective treatment is in finding ways to shut off this response when it is not needed. A qualified mental health professional can guide you through diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and recommend appropriate treatment for your unique situation.  Many individuals are finding success through online therapy services due to their convenience and affordability.

 

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

What Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone gets anxious from time to time. Anxiety is sometimes thought of as the energy of life, as it motivates us to do, or not do, certain things. But there is a point where it becomes painful, where it interferes with daily living, and that is where it becomes Generalized Anxiety Disorder. You must consult with experts about what causes gad to appear.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a diagnosable condition where the person suffers from persistent and unrelenting anxiety, with no real cause. If a person were living in a violent situation, like an abusive home, having chronic anxiety would be an appropriate response. For people with GAD, there is nothing in the environment to cause them extreme fear or stress, yet they feel it intensely. Only an expert can tell you what is gad because he or she can explain the fundamental concept. 

It is generally thought that GAD stems from a combination of a genetic component and the way the person is brought up. If a person is brought up to be more fearful and mistrustful of things, they may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder, like GAD.

Feeling nervous occasionally is normal, but chronic and persistent anxiety, like with GAD, can inhibit how you live your life. A good rule to follow is if you notice that you are unable to stop worrying and it is interfering with any aspect of your life, such as your job, relationships, or spirituality, then it is time to seek help. It is also important to reach out for help if you find yourself using alcohol or other substances to help manage the symptoms, or if you experience thoughts of suicide. What is a gad is a complex question but experts can help you with this topic.

People with GAD will likely experience many of the same types of symptoms, but it may not be each symptom, every day. It is important to note that this is a chronic condition, and feeling anxious over a test coming next week, is not GAD; the test anxiety goes away after the event is over, and GAD does not go away.

Some other symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:

  • Persistent worrying or anxiety about several areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events
  • Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes
  • Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t
  • Difficulty handling uncertainty
  • Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision
  • Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
  • Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank”
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Muscle tension or muscle aches
  • Trembling, feeling twitchy
  • Nervousness or being easily startled
  • Sweating
  • Nausea, diarrhea, or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Irritability

 

While this sounds painful, it is important to know that GAD is treatable and can be overcome with the help of medication, education, and talk therapy. If this sounds like you or someone you know, reaching out for help is vital. The sooner you get help, the easier this illness is to overcome. What is GAD? How can it be controlled for all such questions, you must approach experts. 

 

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Anxiety and Sleep Disorders


It’s another sleepless night, already 4 am, and you have to get up in two hours. You have yet to sleep. Your mind will not shut off long enough to let sleep come. You keep thinking and thinking, worrying at times. This is insomnia and it’s one of the sleep issues that can arise from anxiety and anxiety-based disorders.

Anxiety and anxiety-based disorders, like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have a strong correlation with sleep disorders. It may be difficult to determine which came first, the anxiety or the sleep anxiety disorder.  What is known is that the two are linked together, causing more and more stress to those who suffer from just one or the other alone.

Causes of Sleep Anxiety Disorder:

For those who suffer from anxiety, are more likely to experience insomnia, the inability to sleep, or suffer from constant waking, not able to enter a deep sleep cycle necessary for good physical and mental health. Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep is often prevented when anxiety is present, which can be responsible for depression, increased anxiety, hallucinations, difficulty in thinking, and increased risk of cardiac events. People who suffer from anxiety may also have difficulty getting to sleep, and have a longer sleep onset length, than people without anxiety disorders. For the average person, it takes 15 minutes to get to sleep, while someone with an anxiety disorder may take an hour. Sleep is vital to living things, and when a person fails to get that, they begin to break down.

Any anxiety disorder may bring on sleep problems, such as insomnia. It is the anxiety, the energy of fear or nervousness, that keeps the mind and body going. The fight/flight/or freeze response is activated, and the body is alert and ready to go, ready to act, as there is some threat somewhere, whether real or imagined, the body does not know, it just reacts to the threat the mind sees. Other mental illnesses can have anxiety associated with them, some types of depression have anxiety as a feature, or the fear and poor understanding of reality can come with thought disorders. No matter the cause, anxiety is a real feature and disrupts the life of the person who experiences it.

Sleep Anxiety Disorders are unfortunately too common with some estimating that 40 million people in the country suffer from them, with anxiety playing a significant role for many of them. This does not have to be and should be addressed immediately with your healthcare professional. With a combination of education, medication, and talk therapy to help calm the mind and re-evaluate stressful situations, a person can begin to find relief and get a stress-free night’s sleep again.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.