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How does one distinguish
normal anxiety and pathological anxiety?
Anxiety (normal or healthy) is defined as a natural and essential
emotional reaction, a normal response to daily stress, where there is the
presence of a certain apprehension of painful events. The threat seems more
diffuse, vague or distant in the case of fear. Anxiety is generally used to
direct attention to a danger or threat and can prepare the body to take action
to bring about change.
It can also improve performance, motivate the individual to excel and
serve as alarm signal when there is a danger and thereby ensure survival1. However,
when this reaction persists for no apparent reason and it causes some problems
in the functioning of the individual, anxiety is then termed pathological.
In addition, other criteria must be analyzed to distinguish normal
anxiety of pathological anxiety such as intensity, frequency, pain, the moment
of its appearance, sense of control (or not) on anxiety symptoms and the
duration of those ci1.
How can manifest anxiety?
Anxiety can manifest itself in various ways. Indeed, it is possible to
classify these events into four categories1:
affective symptoms (fear, anxiety, irritability, etc.).
physiological symptoms (dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, numbness,
etc.).
cognitive symptoms (difficulty concentrating, fear of going crazy, losing
control, having a heart attack, etc.).
behavioral symptoms (agitation, avoidance, edgy attitude, etc.)..
It appears important to note that these symptoms are usually not present
at the same time or in each of the anxiety disorders. Indeed, a person may, for
example, feel that only a few of these symptoms at once. In addition, some of
them are more typical of a disorder in particular1.
How the mental health professionals they
diagnose the presence of an anxiety disorder in an individual?
During clinical interviews and using different assessment tools (questionnaires,
grids, etc.), mental health professionals are usually able to diagnose an
individual struggling with an anxiety disorder. To this end, the majority of
psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors are able to detect one or the other
anxiety disorders as well as make a diagnosis.
How many people are
struggling with an anxiety disorder in the population?
It seems that anxiety is the abnormal psychological problem most current1.
Indeed, according to recent statistics, 10 to 15% of people consulting a GP
large1 suffer from anxiety symptoms. Moreover, in the general population, 25% of
people seem to have experienced intense anxiety at one time or another in their
lives and about 7.5% of them are struggling with an anxiety disorder particular1.
A person with an anxiety disorder can she
get out?
The scientific literature has demonstrated for anxiety disorders it was
possible for an individual to reduce some of its symptoms and regain social
functioning, personal and interpersonal satisfying and sometimes even without
treatment with a professional. Professional help is important when a person
with symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder sees its overall functioning
affected and / or a significant pain associated with it.
At present, the treatment of choice for all anxiety disorders, appears
to be the therapy of cognitive-behavioral approach. Moreover, it frequently
happens that people with any anxiety disorder take medication. For further
details on this, it is possible to see the following section: Pharmacotherapy.
For family
Certainly, anxiety disorders frequently have many negative impacts on
the physical and psychological functioning, as well as the social, occupational
and economic status of individuals who suffer (Gladis et al., 1999; Mendlowicz &
Stein, 2000). Moreover, the negative effects of these disorders on the
functioning of those who are affected are not without consequence for the
family.
Relatives are frequently witnessed various behaviors difficult to
understand from the individual as anxious avoidance (eg. Refuse an invitation
to the restaurant), leakage (eg. Disaster out in a movie theater) rituals (eg. repeatedly
check if the front door is locked), requests for reinsurance (eg. ask the same
question several times), panic attacks (eg. afraid to die entering an airplane),
etc..
Initially, relatives tend to adapt to the various manifestations of
anxiety by changing some of the roles they assumed and adjusting according to
the needs of the person with anxiety disorder. However, As the chronicise
anxiety disorder, conflict and an atmosphere of tension can appear. Firstly
relatives can become more intolerant of manifestations of anxiety and the need
to have to adapt.
On the other hand, the individual is anxious can feel misunderstood and
isolated or a vain attempt to limit the negative impact of the disorder on his
entourage. In this context, the family usually try to help the anxious person
to the best of their knowledge so that they regain functionality.
What to do if a loved one appears or is
struggling with an anxiety disorder?
As a first step, it is desirable to encourage the individual anxious to
therapy in this case a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) since it is more
effective than other forms of psychotherapy for the treatment of all anxiety disorders. In addition, it is possible for relatives to provide support and
adequate help.
However, providing such support is particularly challenging given that
the identification of supportive behaviors helping, that is to say, that meet
the needs of individuals with an anxiety disorder are not clear. Indeed, some
supportive behaviors may be perceived as meaningful by individuals with an
anxiety disorder because they cause a rapid decrease in anxiety and
physiological reactions associated.
However, many of these behaviors can be cons-productive because they
contribute to the development or maintenance of the disorder by increasing
avoidance and anxiety. For example, a patient with generalized anxiety disorder
that is frequently advise a reassuringly close about his concerns will
generally report a positive impression of this form of support while
reinsurance reinforces intolerance to uncertainty, an important component of
the disorder.
It is the same when a loved one changes its behavior depending on the
condition (eg by performing a compulsive ritual in place of the other in order
to avoid "stuck" with his doubts). The relative can also try to "secure"
the individual anxiety by helping a tangible example by driving the car instead
of an individual with panic disorder with agoraphobia is afraid to make a panic
attack and fainted at the wheel.
What strategies can be appropriate
caregivers and from someone close to a person struggling with an anxiety
disorder?
To show empathy to the distress experienced
Consider the person as it is and help to identify other than by anxiety
Encourage them to seek professional help if necessary
Promote positive changes as gradually exposing themselves to phobic
stimuli
Learn about the characteristics of the disorder, its development and
appropriate treatment
Recognize and reinforce any progress, however small it may be
Evaluate progress according to the situation of the individual and not
by an absolute standard (eg absence of symptoms)
Lower expectations during periods of stress
Be flexible and try to maintain a normal
Will give the right to the opportunity to feel helpless and frustrated
What strategies should be avoided by
close to a person with an anxiety disorder?
Blame the individual or anxious themselves for the disorder
Criticize the anxious person in the way it manages its difficulties
Minimize the importance of psychological and physical discomfort
Require the anxious individual things he is afraid to
Encourage the person anxious to avoid or escape a situation
Organize their lives solely in terms of anxiety disorder
Take responsibility for the "cure" anxiety disorder
Abandon efforts to help the person anxious to get out
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