SeungwooSAD


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

Specific phobia, or simple phobia, is a continual and unreasonable fear caused by thought of a specific object or situation that poses no actual danger. When one encounters an object or the object is exposed, one would have an immediate reaction, evoking anxiety, and avoiding the object. The distress of an object may even interfere with one’s ability to function. Even Adults with specific phobia have hard time overcoming their fear. Examples of specific phobias are: animal, situational, natural environment, and blood injection injury phobias.

Social phobias is a diagnosis within psychiatry and other mental health professions referring to excessive social anxiety causing distress and impaired ability to function at some parts of daily life. General social anxiety disorder typically includes intense, and chronic fear of being judged by others and being embarrassed or humiliated by one’s own actions. Physical symptoms often accompanying social anxiety disorder include blushing, sweating, trembling, nausea, and stammering.

Agoraphobia is a condition where one becomes anxious in environments that are unfamiliar or where he or she perceives that they have little control over it. Agoraphobia is triggered by crowds, wide open spaces, or traveling to other places. This apprehension is compounded with a fear of social embarrassment.


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

Children with GAD do not realize that their anxiety is more intense the actual situation. Therefore, children with GAD require frequent reassurance from adults.

These symptoms may include:

Worries about things before they happen Worries about friends, school, activities Constant thoughts and fears about safety Refusing to go to school Muscle aches Sleep disturbance Excessive worry about sleeping away from home Fatigue Lack of concentration Irritability Inability to relax Being easily startled Irritability


 * 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 they do not know that they have a real and treatable disorder. Many symptoms of panic disorder mimic those of other illnesses such as heart disease, and breathing disorders, it takes people years and a great deal of frustration before receiving correct diagnosis.


 * 4. Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.**

In general, anxiety disorders are treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both depending on one’s situation. Before getting treatment, a doctor must determine whether a person’s symptom are caused by an anxiety disorder or a physical problem.

Medication: Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but it can kept them under control while the person receives psychotherapy. Some of the examples of antidepressants are SSRIs, Trycyclics, and MAOIs.

Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very useful in treating anxiety disorders. The cognitive part helps people change the thinking patterns that support their fears, and the behavioral part helps people change the way they react to anxiety provoking situations.