Facts About DEPRESSION

ANXIETY DISORDERS—SYMPTOMS,

HELP NUMBERS & Helpful Web Sites

Disclaimer: Online information found here is made available so that individuals may find out whether consultation with a counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a help site and is not intended to provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

What are Anxiety Disorders?*

Anxiety is your mind and body’s natural response to events that are threatening. The right amount of anxiety can help you, but too much anxiety can interfere with your life. Some worry and anxiety are real. They are not just in your head. They can be treated, and they are nothing to be ashamed of.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY*

--Worry

--Rapid heartbeat

--Fears

--Shortness of breath

--Thoughts that don’t go away

--Nausea

--Avoidance of people, places or things

--Faintness

--Dry mouth

--Compulsions

--Sweating

--Restlessness

--Shaking

--Aches, pains

--Difficulty concentrating

Fight or Flight*

As long as humans have been on earth, when they have been confronted with threatening situations, their bodies have had automatic responses to prepare them to fight the threat or run away from it.

For example:

--Increased alertness

--Increased heart rate

--More blood flowing in the muscles of the arms and legs, possibly causing

shaking or jitters

--Less blood flowing in the digestive system so more blood is available to the

arms and legs, possibly causing dry mouth or abdominal discomfort

--Dilated pupils (for better vision)

--Constricted blood vessels in the skin and open sweat glands, leading to

paleness or clamminess.

In our brains, the hypothalamus, when stimulated, directs nerve cells to fire and starts a chemical release increasing adrenaline, noradrenalin and cortisol in the blood and causing the reactions listed above.

In people with depression, bipolar disorder, and/or anxiety disorders the fight or flight response may be stimulated more often and for longer periods of time than in people without these illnesses. This means that more things are perceived as threatening. An out-of-balance fight or flight response can cause a person to:

--Have a real physical reaction to everyday people, place, or things.

--Believe danger is around every corner.

--Be convinced something terrible will happen if certain things aren’t done a certain way.

--Feel constantly keyed-up and on-edge.

--Avoid everyday people, places or things in an effort to avoid the anxiety response.

All of these things can interfere with people’s lives so much that they aren’t able to do things they would like to do and their relationships are strained or lost.

*”What is Anxiety?”; www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_depression_anxietymain May 25, 2005 & updated December 19, 2006.

There are five types of anxiety disorders. To learn more, click on any of the anxiety disorders listed below.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Panic Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder) &

Other phobias (www.nmha.org/go/phobias)

HELP NUMBERS

For help or more information contact any of the following individuals, groups, or agencies:

--Guidance Counselors—