Course Name: Psychology

Course Code: PSY 101

Instructor: DR. Ali M. Salem

Name: Yasmine Adel

ID: 20183317
 Anxiety Disorders
Abstract
In both basic and secondary care settings as well as in community settings, anxiety disorders and
symptoms are prevalent. Although symptoms might be modest and short-lived, many people are
plagued by severe ones that are very upsetting and affect their ability to function in social and
professional contexts. The social cost of anxiety disorders is significant, but many people who
could benefit from treatment are not identified or given care by medical experts. On the other
hand, some patients receive care that is unsuitable or unneeded. Accurate diagnosis depends on
recognizing the distinctive characteristics of various diseases. Recognition depends on careful
awareness of the psychological and physical symptoms present in all anxiety disorders.
The severity and persistence of symptoms, the degree of associated disability and impact on
daily life, the presence of co-occurring depressive symptoms, and other characteristics, such as a
good response to or poor tolerability of prior treatment approaches, all play a role in determining
the need for treatment. Patient traits, doctor and patient preferences, and the accessibility of
viable therapies in the area all have an impact on the treatment plan. For evidence-based and
effective therapies (such as the prescription of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or a course
of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy), there is much overlap between the various anxiety
disorders, but there are also significant differences, so it helps to be familiar with the
distinguishing traits and body of research for each disorder. (Brandish & Baldwin, 2012).

Introduction
Anxiety is a feeling of disquiet that can range from minor to severe and includes worry or fear.
Anxiety is a typical response to stress and in some circumstances, it can be helpful. It can warn
us about potential threats and assist with planning and attention. When anxiety disorders are
present, there is excessive dread or anxiety as opposed to the normal feelings of apprehension or
anxiety. Nearly 30% of adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making
it the most prevalent of all mental disorders. However, there are a variety of efficient therapies
for anxiety disorders. Most persons who receive treatment can live regular, fulfilling lives.
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. For example, you may be concerned when
confronted with an issue at work, before taking a test, or before making a critical decision.
Anxiety is normal on occasion. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, are different. They are a set
of mental diseases that produce extreme anxiety and fear. Excessive anxiety can cause you to
avoid going to work, school, family gatherings, and other social settings that could trigger or
worsen your symptoms.
It is natural to feel anxious from time to time. People with anxiety disorders, on the other hand,
usually experience strong, excessive, and persistent concern and fear about ordinary events.
Anxiety disorders sometimes involve recurring episodes of acute anxiety, fear, or terror that peak
within minutes (panic attacks).
Anxiety and panic disrupt daily activities, are difficult to regulate, out of proportion to the actual
danger, and can linger for a long period. To escape unpleasant feelings, you may avoid places or
circumstances. Symptoms may appear in childhood or adolescence and persist throughout
adulthood.
Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), particular phobias, and
separation anxiety disorder are all examples of anxiety disorders. You can have multiple anxiety
disorders. Anxiety might be caused by a medical issue that requires treatment.
Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness. Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Specific Phobia,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Acute Stress Disorder are all anxiety disorders. Anxiety
disorders cost the United States between 42 and 46 billion dollars in direct and indirect
healthcare costs each year, accounting for one-third of the yearly total mental health bill of 148
billion dollars. Social phobia is the most common anxiety disorder in the United States, affecting
around 5.3 million people each year. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects around 5.2 million
people each year. Estimates for panic disorder range between 3 and 6 million people per year,
and it is an anxiety illness that affects twice as many women as males. Specific phobias afflict
more than one out of every ten persons, with women having a slightly higher frequency than
males. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects roughly 2 to 3 persons out of every 100, with men
and women equally afflicted.
Anxiety disorders and panic attacks are not symptoms of a weakness in character. Most
importantly, it is not your fault that you are anxious. It is a severe mood condition that impairs a
person's capacity to perform in daily activities. It has an impact on one's employment, family,
and social life.
With treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can manage their feelings.

Body
Anxiety disorders are a type of mental illness. Anxiety makes getting through the day tough.
Symptoms include anxiousness, panic, and terror, as well as perspiration and a racing heart.
Anxiety disorders are illnesses characterized by pathological anxiety that is not caused by
medical illness, is not linked to substance abuse, and is not part of a psychotic illness. As a result,
the idea of anxiety disorders is largely founded on the exclusion of various sources of
pathological anxiety, which is rarely a scientifically sound stance. Because pathological anxiety
has been proposed as the sine qua non of anxiety disorders, it is critical to distinguish between
pathological and "normal" anxiety. For the sake of clarity, the terms anxiety and dread are used
interchangeably here (since they both describe a reaction to a perceived threat), yet there is a
popular belief that conceptual differences exist between them. These criteria address all aspects
of anxiety, including subjective, physiological (somatic), cognitive, and behavioral aspects.
Although the requirements appear to be straightforward, it may be difficult to distinguish
between pathological and normal anxiety in practice. It is commonly assumed that normal
anxiety has an adaptive role because it serves as a signal that there is some danger and that
measures (e.g., a fight or flight response) must be taken to protect oneself against that danger;
both the perceived danger and the measures taken are considered appropriate (i.e., not
exaggerated) in normal anxiety. For example, a student who is worried about failing an exam
properly perceives herself to be far below the necessary level of knowledge and increases her
efforts to catch up with her studies and reduce the chance of failing. Pathological anxiety, on the
other hand, refers to an incorrect or excessive assessment of danger; preventive measures
performed against this danger are much out of proportion to the actual threat. In the Third
Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, anxiety disorders were
introduced as a discrete nosological group in 1980. (DSM-III; American Psychiatric Association,
1980).
What Causes Anxiety Disorders?
Stress is a normal, proportional response to a stressful event or outside forces. It's natural to be
anxious about a final exam or a job interview. Anxiety disorders are characterized by emotions
of dread or unexplainable ideas of impending disaster.
Anxiety is a means for people who have experienced trauma to react to the painful experience,
sometimes as a protective tactic. When we feel attacked, it's natural to be wary and distrustful of
others. Trauma survivors' ideas and defensive habits persist long after the threat has passed.
Finding ways to feel safe, re-teaching your body and mind to readjust to feelings of safety and
anxiety disorders are caused by unknown factors. A mix of hereditary and environmental factors,
according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Trusted Source, may have a role.
Brain chemistry is also being investigated as a potential cause. Your brain's sections that control
your fear response may be involved.
Anxiety disorders can coexist with other mental health issues, such as substance misuse and
depression. Many people use alcohol or other medications to alleviate the feelings of anxiety.
The alleviation provided by these medications is just transient. Anxiety disorders can be
exacerbated by alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and other substances. Working through negative
events can all be beneficial.
The following factors can raise your chances of having an anxiety disorder:
Genetic Factors
If someone in your family has an anxiety problem, you may be more likely to develop one as
well. Social and economic variables can have a role, but new data suggests that genetic factors
may also play a role. OCD, for example, can be handed on via families.
Stressful Events
Anxiety symptoms might be triggered by employment stress, the loss of a loved one, or difficult
relationships.
Substance Use
When the effects of drugs, alcohol, and other substances begin to wear off, heavy users
experience anxiety difficulties (in withdrawal).
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety affects people in various ways, resulting in a wide range of problems. The following are
the most frequent types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday normal life events and activities that lasts at least six
months; virtually always anticipating the worst even when there is little cause to predict it.
Physical symptoms include weariness, shaking, muscle tightness, headache, and nausea.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD patients experience recurring ideas and concerns that cause anxiety. They alleviate their
worry by repeating certain acts. For example, a person who is afraid of germs and pollution will
repeatedly wash his or her hands and household items.
Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia
People suffering from social anxiety disorder are afraid of social and performance circumstances
in which they may be judged by others. They are terrified that something they do or say will
cause them to be humiliated or embarrassed. These individuals are incapable of dealing with
common events such as making small talk or simply eating in public.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an abnormal and persistent dread of a specific object, place, or action that is
not inherently dangerous. Patients are aware that their dread is extreme, but they are unable to
overcome it. These worries cause so much distress that some people will go to great lengths to
avoid them. Examples include fear of public speaking, flying, and spiders.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(PTSD) Being a part of or witnessing a traumatic occurrence, such as an accident or an assault,
might lead to PTSD later in life. Due to repeated flashbacks of the event, the person will have
difficulties resting or relaxing.
Panic Disorder
People suffering from panic disorder experience uncontrollable panic attacks, which include a
variety of physical symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, and heavy perspiration.
They also describe psychological symptoms (thoughts) such as a sense of impending doom and
sensations such as 'I am going to die' or 'I shall go insane' during these episodes. These attacks
occur for no apparent reason, and the victim thereafter lives in continual fear of another such
occurrence.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety condition in which you fear and frequently avoid places or
situations that make you feel imprisoned, helpless, or embarrassed.
Selective Mutism
Selective mutism is the inability of children to talk consistently in particular contexts, such as
school, despite the fact that they can speak in other situations, such as at home with close family
members. This can have an impact on education, employment, and social functioning.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is a childhood disorder defined by excessive worry for the child's
developmental level and associated with separation from parents or others who have parental
roles.
Substance-induced Anxiety Disorder
Substance-induced anxiety disorder is defined by symptoms of extreme anxiety or panic that
occur as a direct result of drug abuse, prescription use, exposure to a hazardous substance, or
drug withdrawal.
The Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder:
Anxiety disorders are a range of illnesses with distinct symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders
share one feature: persistent, excessive fear or worry in non-threatening situations. People
usually have one or more of the following symptoms:
Emotional Symptoms:
Feelings of dread or apprehension.
Feeling tense or jumpy.
Restlessness or irritability.
Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger.
Feeling restless.
Feeling tired.
Difficulty concentrating or losing their train of thought.
Physical Symptoms:
Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath.
Sweating, tremors, and twitches.
Headaches, fatigue, and insomnia.
Upset stomach.
Irritability.
Muscle pain, tightness, or soreness.
Difficulty sleeping – both falling asleep or staying asleep or being rested.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step is to consult with your doctor to ensure that there is no physical issue causing the
symptoms. If you are diagnosed with an anxiety problem, a mental health expert can help you
find the appropriate treatment. Unfortunately, many persons suffering from anxiety problems do
not seek treatment. They are unaware that they have a disease for which there are viable
remedies.
Although each anxiety problem is unique, most respond effectively to two types of treatment:
psychotherapy (often known as "talk therapy") and medicines. These treatments can be
administered singly or in combination. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy,
can teach a person how to think, react, and behave differently to feel less nervous. Medications
will not cure anxiety problems, but they can provide significant symptom alleviation. Anti-
anxiety drugs (usually provided for a limited length of time) and antidepressants are the most
regularly utilized treatments. Beta-blockers, which are commonly used to treat cardiac issues, are
also used to treat physical symptoms of anxiety.

Conclusion
Anxiety disorders are prevalent regardless of gender, age, or culture. An accurate diagnosis of an
anxiety disorder is based on identifying the specific feared stimuli as well as the presence of
functional impairment or suffering caused by this dread. CBT is the preferred psychosocial
treatment for all anxiety disorders in general, and it has also been found to be helpful for treating
individuals with severe mental illness, dual diagnosis, and medical conditions. Medication is
often used to treat anxiety disorders and is typically preferred by many because it is initially less
expensive in terms of money, time, and effort; nevertheless, medication is less cost effective in
the long run and has greater relapse rates when discontinued than CBT.
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