Anxiety Disorders/Depression

1. What are anxiety disorders/depressions?

Answer: Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some
situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention.
Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness,
and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most
common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30 percent of adults at some
point in their lives. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of
effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal
productive lives.

2. Who gets anxiety disorders/depressions and how common are they?

Answer: Anxiety disorders commonly affect both men and women, though
they occur more often in women but they also develop in children. Though the
causes of anxiety disorders are not totally understood, it is believed that they
develop due to mix of biological factors along with your individual situation,
much like other health problems. According to research, up to 1 in 4 adults
will have an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, and that up to 1 in 10 people will
have an anxiety disorder each year.

3. Describe some of the symptoms o anxiety disorders/depression.

Answer: A major depressive state may include these symptoms:
 Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
 Feelings of hopelessness
 Feeling of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
 Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
 Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”
 Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
 Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
 Low appetite and weight loss or overeating and weight gain
 Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
 Restlessness, irritability
 Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such
as headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause
can be diagnosed.

4. List and briefly explain some of the main types of anxiety disorders.
Answer: Here are the five major types of anxiety disorders:

a. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - is characterized by

excessive worry about everyday things, which normally are not
a source of constant dread for most other people.

For example, you may worry that while walking to work,

someone will accidentally knock a heavy object out of a window
above, knocking you unconscious.

b. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – results in repeated,

unwanted thoughts and rituals that interfere with everyday living.

For example if you have OCD, you may leave your house
worried that you left the stove on. Even after returning to your
house three of four times, you will still not be convinced that your
stove is in fact off.

c. Panic Disorder – is characterized by panic attacks. Panic

attacks are sudden waves of terror in which your body may
 convulse, you may experience difficulty breathing, and you may
think you are dying. Panic attacks usually subside after about
half an hour, but they can leave you feeling fatigued and unable
to continue with your day.

d. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – can develop after you

have experienced something out of the ordinary that has
“shocked” your world. You may relieve this event in the form of
daydreams or nightmares, and you may be unable to conduct
normal affairs due to the bouts of anger and depression that are
often symptoms of PTSD.

e. Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia – can leave you unable

to leave your house for fear of being judged by others. Not only
is it difficult for people with social phobia to maintain friendships
but it may also be hard to hold down a job, go grocery,
shopping, or even collect mail from the mailbox. You are
constantly worried about what others think of you to the point
that you may avoid social interactions altogether.

5. What type of treatment is available for people experiencing anxiety

disorders/depression?
Answer: Treatments for anxiety disorders may include medication or therapy:
both types have been found effective. A combination of medication and
therapy may also be effective. The decision about treatment is based on your
needs and preferences. Consult a doctor or therapist to get a proper
diagnosis and to learn length of treatment, side effects, time commitment, and
other health issues to help you decide on the best treatment approach for
you.
6. What other kinds of support can help a person with anxiety
disorders/depression recover?
Answer: Ways to support someone with depression:

 Reassure her/him that he/she is going to be okay.

 Stay calm and help him/her to calm down.
 Encourage him/her to do something about her/his anxiety condition.
 Encourage him/her to seek professional help.
 Be available.
 Avoid making comparisons.
 Be patient.
 Learn everything you can about anxiety disorder, then help her/him by
providing ongoing information, support, and reassurance.
 Empathize, don’t patronize. Try to be as supportive, loving, and
empathetic as you can.
 Celebrate the small victories along the way to lasting success.
 Affirm her/him.
 If depression is involved, take suicidal comments seriously
 Above all, continually offer hope.