Tag: phobia

social phobia

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by a significant amount of fear in one or more social situations, causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some parts of daily life. These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny from others. Individuals with social anxiety disorder fear negative evaluation from other people. Physical symptoms often include excessive blushing, excess sweating, trembling, palpitations, and nausea. Stammering may be present, along with rapid speech. Panic attacks can also occur under intense fear and discomfort. Some sufferers may use alcohol or other drugs to reduce fears and inhibitions at social events. It is common for sufferers of social phobia to self-medicate in this fashion, especially if they are undiagnosed, untreated, or both; this can lead to alcoholism, eating disorders or other kinds of substance abuse. SAD is sometimes referred to as an illness of lost opportunities where “individuals make major life choices to accommodate their illness”. According to ICD-10 guidelines, the main diagnostic criteria of social phobia are fear of being the focus of attention or fear of behaving in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating avoidance and anxiety symptoms. Standardized rating scales can be used to screen for social anxiety disorder and measure the severity of anxiety. The first line of treatment for social anxiety disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Medications such as SSRIs are effective for social phobia, especially paroxetine. CBT is effective in treating this disorder, whether delivered individually or in a group setting. The cognitive and behavioral components seek to change thought patterns and physical reactions to anxiety-inducing situations. The attention given to social anxiety disorder has significantly increased since 1999 with the approval and marketing of drugs for its treatment. Prescribed medications include several classes of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Other commonly used medications include beta-blockers and benzodiazepines.see more at WikipediaCheck More at http://christmas.effectsofanxiety.net/

Stanford neurobiologists use VR to explore responses to stress, anxiety, and fear

Andrew Huberman of Stanford University School of Medicine is studying the neuroscience of how what we see influences our emotions, especially fear. Using virtual reality (VR), he exposes study participants to terrifying scenarios, including attack encounters with sharks, spiders, and a pit bull, and stepping off a very high, narrow plank. Huberman, an associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford, measures participant responses with sensors attached to their skin, by monitoring their pupil diameters, and by simply asking participants to say what they’re feeling. He aims to test techniques that, if successful, could help people with phobias, generalized anxiety syndrome, or post-traumatic stress disorder recover their composure in situations that trigger fear.Read the Stanford Medicine Magazine article: http://stanmed.stanford.edu.

WHAT ARE ANXIETY DISORDERS? – Mental health psychology about stress, fear & treatment by Kati Morton

JOURNAL CLUB! Every Tuesday & Friday I post a journal prompt to help keep you motivated and working on yourself! JOIN NOW: https://www.youtube.com/katimorton/join Order my book today! ARE U OK? http://geni.us/sva4iUY Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses, affecting 19 million children and adults in the U.S., reports the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA).ADAA also reports that the ailment consumes almost a third of the total $148 billion total mental health bill for the nation. That’s not surprising, given people with anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor, and six times more likely than non-sufferers to be hospitalized for psychiatric ailments.Although anxiety disorder describes a group of illnesses such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias, there are some symptoms that characterize the illness as a whole.According to the American Psychiatric Association, when people suffering from anxiety disorders talk about their condition, they often include these descriptions:Unrealistic or excessive worry Exaggerated startled reactions Sleep disturbances Jitteriness Fatigue Dry mouth Lump in throat Trembling Sweating Racing or pounding heartIn the workplace, these symptoms could translate into difficulty working with colleagues and clients, trouble concentrating, preoccupation over the fear instead of focusing on work, and turning down assignments because of fear of failure, flying, going in to the elevator, or public speaking.For people who think they might have anxiety disorder, Jeffrey P. Kahn, MD, a clinical psychiatrist and author of Mental Health and Productivity in the Workplace, recommends the following first steps of action:Talk about the problem with someone you feel comfortable with. Also ask that person what he or she notices about you. Take a break from your worry by playing sports, listening to music, praying, or meditating. Join a self-help group. If talking about the problem or relaxation techniques don’t work, seek professional consultation. Anxiety disorder is an umbrella term that covers several different forms of a type of common psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive rumination, worrying, uneasiness, apprehension and fear about future uncertainties either based on real or imagined events, which may affect both physical and psychological health. There are numerous psychiatric and medical syndromes which may mimic the symptoms of an anxiety disorder such as hyperthyroidism which may be misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder.Individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder may be classified in one of two categories; based on whether they experience continuous or episodic symptoms.Current psychiatric diagnostic criteria recognize a wide variety of anxiety disorders. Recent surveys have found that as many as 18% of Americans and 14% of Europeans may be affected by one or more of them. The term anxiety covers four aspects of experiences an individual may have: mental apprehension, physical tension, physical symptoms and dissociative anxiety.Anxiety disorder is divided into generalized anxiety disorder, phobic disorder, and panic disorder; each has its own characteristics and symptoms and they require different treatment (Gelder et al. 2005). The emotions present in anxiety disorders range from simple nervousness to bouts of terror (Barker 2003).Standardized screening clinical questionnaires such as the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale or the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale can be used to detect anxiety symptoms, and suggest the need for a formal diagnostic assessment of anxiety disorder.Anxiety is the Greatest! (jk it can go jump off a microwave) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbtQp7C1MDs ****PLEASE READ**** If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.