Brian+Shin+SAD

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

Unlike normal people who manage to control their fears of certain things and carry out daily activities without incidents, people with special phobias work hard to avoid common places, situations, or objects even though they know there’s no threat or danger. They feel powerless to stop it. Having phobias can disrupt daily routines, limit work efficiency, reduce self-esteem, and place a strain on relationships because people will do whatever they can to avoid such things. People with social anxiety disorders, also known as social phobia, can wreak havoc on the social and romantic lives, leaving them ashamed and isolated. Just like specific phobias, social phobias can ruin one’s social life if it’s extreme. However, social phobias are often selective. Although the fear is unreasonable, people with social anxiety feel powerless against their anxiety. Lastly, Agoraphobia is like a fear of some people who are anxious about certain situations or places in which they’ve previously had a panic attack. People with agoraphobia avoid public places where they feel immediate escape might be difficult. They barely come out of places where they consider safety zones. About one in three people with panic disorders develop agoraphobia.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things. People with the disorder, known as GAD, experience exaggerated worry about certain issues and have a hard time living an ordinary life. Children with this have a hard time sleeping, feel muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, irritability, edginess, and gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea.

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

It often takes a long time and a great deal of frustration before receiving the correct diagnosis for individuals with panic disorder. The reason is because many people suffering from panic attacks don’t know they have a real and treatable disorder. It occurs three times more in mature women than men. Many people who have it don’t think that the disorder they have is real and highly responsive to treatment. They think it’s embarrassing to tell people, even doctors. They fear to be considered as a patient and a hypochondriac.

4. Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.

Treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation therapies, and psychotherapy are used to treat anxiety disorders. Drugs used to treat anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Combination therapies are often utilized as well.