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Articles - Anxiety
OAK LEAVES FAMILY SERVICE
COLUMN, MAY, 1998
Ever since I was in a car accident last winter,
I find I become jittery and anxious when I get behind the wheel. I invent
excuses all the time to avoid driving anywhere and it's really begun to
effect my life. Is there any help for me?
While anxious feelings effect all of us from time to time, when feelings
of apprehension and fear control us instead of us controlling the feelings,
help is needed. Thankfully, effective treatment for anxiety disorders is
readily available.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
If you would like to learn more about mental health and specifically
anxiety disorders, check out these resources::
- National Institute on mental Health: phone 1-88-88-Anxiety,
ask for publication #97-3789 Anxiety Disorders.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America: phone 301/231-9350.
- Benson, H. (1975). The Relaxation Response. New York: William
Morrow
- Bourne, David (1996). Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Oakland,
CA: New Harbinger
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Anxiety disorders are the most common of all the mental disorders, affecting
more Americans than either depression or alcohol and substance abuse. Almost
15 percent of all Americans will suffer from an anxiety disorder during
their lifetime.
Anxiety disorders are actually a group of illnesses, including panic disorder,
phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
They share many of the same symptoms including excessive worrying, sleep
difficulties, anxiety attacks, obsessive and ritualistic behaviors, phobias,
social anxiety and poor concentration.
Panic disorder involves sudden, intense and unprovoked feelings of terror
and dread. People who suffer from this disorder often develop strong fears
about when and where their next panic attack will occur, and they often
restrict their activities as a result.
A related disorder involves phobias, or intense fears, about certain objects
or situations. Specific phobias may involve encountering things such as
certain animals or flying in airplanes. Social phobias may involve fear
of social settings or public places.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who has survived
or been witness to a catastrophic event. People with PTSD often suffer depression,
flashbacks, nightmares and react excessively when startled, sometimes months
or even years after the traumatic experience.
Individuals with obsesessive-compulsive disorder are plagued with persistent,
uncontrollable and unwanted feelings or thoughts (obsessions). They go through
routines or rituals in order to try to prevent or rid themselves of these
thoughts (compulsions). Examples of common compulsions include washing hands
or cleaning house excessively, or checking over something repeatedly for
errors.
"Research has shown that both behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy can
be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders," says Lanny Charles,
LCSW, Clinical Manager at Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park
& River Forest. Behavioral therapy involves using techniques to reduce or
stop the undesired behavior associated with these disorders. For example,
a boy who has a phobia involving dogs may be trained in relaxation and deep
breathing techniques to counteract the agitation and hyperventilation he
suffers when encountering the animal.
Through cognitive therapy, individuals learn to understand how their thoughts
contribute to the symptoms of anxiety disorders, and how to change those
thought patterns to reduce the frequency and intensity of the reaction.
This increased awareness along with behavioral techniques helps the individual
gradually confront and tolerate fearful situations in a controlled, safe
environment. Certain anxiety disorders also respond well to a combination
of medication and psychotherapy. Your family physician should be consulted
to discuss medication options or referral.
"No one plan works well for all individuals," says Charles. "It is important
to tailor the treatment plan to the needs of the client and to the type
of disorder they are suffering from. However, many of our clients notice
improvement within eight to ten sessions, especially those who carefully
follow the outlined treatment plan."
Located at 120 S. Marion, Oak Park, Family Service & Mental Health Center
of Oak Park & River Forest is a not-for-profit social service and mental
health agency that provides counseling, psychiatric and prevention/education
programs to men, women, youth and families. To learn more about our programs
or to make an appointment, contact us at (708) 383-7500.
  
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