Jane+Woo+SAD

SAD QUESTIONS ASSIGNMENT
1. Describe the differences between specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia.

Though specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia share a common sense of fear, it is what the sufferer is afraid of that makes the difference. Specific phobias may be restricted to only certain areas animals, or objects. Their fear seems irrational and will take great measures to avoid the area, animal, or object. An example of a specific phobia is arachnophobia, or an irrational fear of spiders. Social phobias are a bit different. The sufferer is fixated on the possibility that he or she will be ridiculed, shunned, and/or hated by society and will be greatly embarrassed. Instead of developing a fear for objects, places, or animals, the sufferer will feel intense fear of certain social situations, such as dates or in front of a crowd of people. These people know that their fear is irrational but cannot control themselves. Finally, agoraphobia is irrational fear directed toward a specific place or just public places in general. This fear is often developed from a bad experience and/or a panic attack in a public place, since the sufferer does not wish to relive the panic attack.

2. What symptoms do children with generalized anxiety disorder have?

Children with GAD show symptoms such as: muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, edginess, and/or gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea. They will most likely show an irrational worry for family, money, and so on.

3. Why is it difficult for individuals with panic disorder to get a correct diagnosis?

It is difficult for individuals with panic disorder to get a correct diagnosis because the symptoms for panic attacks are very similar to much more grave illnesses, such as heart disease or breathing disorders. People who suffer from panic attacks often go to emergency rooms or hospitals thinking that they need treatment for some other sickness when really it was just a panic attack. Sometimes, it is just a matter of embarrassment, so the afflicted never go to the doctor and suffer alone.

4. Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are believed to be a combination of environmental and biological factors, and they are treatable. There are a number of ways one can bet treated for anxiety disorders. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a method used where the sufferer is consciously aware he or she is being treated step by step and learns life skills that will help him/her with anxiety. It also focuses on identifying and understanding behavioral patterns. The Cognitive aspect of the treatment deals with the sufferer learning to change anxiety-inducing thoughts, and also to separate realistic from unrealistic thoughts. The Behavioral aspect of the treatment "trains" a person to handle anxiety-inducing situations, usually through exposure. They learn to overcome their fears and deal with them properly.

There are also two other forms of common treatment for anxiety disorders. One is relaxation, where a sufferer uses exercise or breathing retraining to relieve stress and help the sufferer to handle environmental factors that could be causing the anxiety disorder and panic attacks. The other form of treatment is simply medication, usually antidepressants or anxiolytics. These are prescribed to relieve SAD symptoms and are usually very helpful when treating a SAD sufferer. Most of the time, it is used in conjunction with another treatment such as CBT or relaxation. Whichever treatment they choose, sufferers should always consult a doctor and/or therapist first in order to see what is right for them. Some treatments may not be as effective with other people.