George, a professional man, well thought of in his community, called to inquire if anything could be done to help him in dealing with strong feelings of dread and apprehension. He had been trying unsuccessfully to cope with these foreboding feelings for some time. His anxiety was beginning to hamper his productivity at work and infringe upon his relationships at home. George needed some relief and was willing to seek professional help in order to get it.

Everyone has fears, apprehensions, concerns and feelings of insecurity. This cluster of emotions, known as anxiety, is a response to a specific stressful situation. Anxiety may serve as a useful alarm system, helping us focus on problems, and figure out what to do. The opposite is true, however, if anxiety is intense and lasts long after the event that triggered it or surfaces for no apparent reason. This kind of anxiety can cause a person to become dysfunctional in his normal responsibilities and relationships.

Anxiety Disorders

Some anxiety disorders are called "phobic disorders." One rather common variety is agoraphobia, an irrational fear of leaving the familiar home setting. Agoraphobics may refuse to travel or to be alone. They may develop a great deal of anxiety in either closed or wide-open spaces or in large groups of people. This type of anxiety can become so intense that physical symptoms such as hyperventilation, rapid heart beat or gastric upset can occur.

Individuals with a panic disorder feel intense apprehension, fearfulness and a sense of impending doom for no apparent reason. Often accompanying these feelings are shortness of breath, elevation in the heart rate, dizziness, and fear of dying or going insane.

A simple phobia is an irrational fear that results in a compelling desire to avoid such things as specific animals, insects, water, etc. A social phobia is an exaggerated fear of social situations. This might also include a fear connected with speaking or eating in public or using public facilities. Two other common phobias include acrophobia, a dread of heights, and claustrophobia, a fear of being in a confined place.

People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder often experience shakiness, tremors and an inability to relax. There may also be a pounding heart, sweating, edginess, impatience and irritability.

People with an obsessive-compulsive disorder focus on such concerns as contamination, excessive hand washing and checking and rechecking to be certain that specific tasks or functions have been performed. Often present in their lives are the following: a perfectionistic attitude, fear of failure or being disapproved by others, loss of security, unresolved guilt or anger.

Another anxiety related condition is post-traumatic stress disorder. Here such symptoms as nightmares, inability to concentrate, guilt or depression appear after the occurrence of a traumatic event. Sometimes survivors of such events as natural disasters, auto accidents or war feel guilty about surviving when others did not.

Treatment for Anxiety

Many sufferers spend years visiting medical specialists, believing that they are physically ill but receiving little relief. However, each of these anxiety disorders is treatable, and the individual can return to a better quality of life.

Treatment begins with finding a therapist experienced in dealing with anxiety disorders and knowledgeable about antianxiety medications. Ideally, medications prescribed by a physician are used temporarily for the relief of physical discomfort while the individual learns to cope with anxiety. Some people, however, may need long term medication therapy and many physicians feel the medication benefits may outweigh the risk of dependency and other unwanted effects.

Behavior modification geared to teach stress management can prove beneficial to the person suffering from anxiety. Psychotherapy helps people uncover the reasons for their anxiety by changing unrealistic, negative ways of thinking to more constructive ones. f you are suffering from unresolved anxiety, seek help promptly—you do not have to remain a victim. A better quality of life is attainable.

References:

Collins, Gary. (1980). Overcoming anxiety. Santa Anna, CA: Vision House.

Collins, Gary. (1983). Christian counseling and comprehensive guide. Waco, TX: Word Pub.

© Copyright 1992, El Rophe Center, Inc.