Anxiety Disorders

An Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Abigail E. Hopchak

Germanna Community College

Anxiety Disorders

Abstract
This paper focuses on explaining three anxiety disorders and their effect on the well-being of the

patient. These disorders are: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD),

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Various forms of treatment are explored including

cognitive behavior therapy and medications.

Anxiety Disorders

An Overview of Anxiety Disorders

The average person will, at some point in their life, experience anxiety. Whether it be

problems with their job, family crisis, or schooling, stress often leads to a person feeling anxious

and worried. While it is normal to experience anxiety in stressful situations, such as after a break

up, the loss of a job, or major life change, anxiety disorders can cause someone to feel anxious

for no apparent reason at all.

Organ System

Anxiety affects the central nervous system of the body. The limbic system, which is the

emotional center of the brain. The limbic system is responsible for establishing emotional states

and it receives signals sent to the amygdala from the overstimulated nerves. The amygdala reads

these messages as potentially dangerous threats, resulting in an anxious state.

Etiology

It is theorized that anxiety is the result of a disruption in the emotional centers of the

brain; however, tests have not been able to confirm exactly how or why these disruptions occur

(Martin, Ressler, Binder, Nemeroff, 2009). Because the cause cannot be found, anxiety is

classified as idiopathic (Barnhill, 2018).

The etiology of anxiety can be attributed to stress from any situation. When the body

experiences stress for a consistent time period of six months, anxiety is able to be clinically

diagnosed and considered a disorder. A short bout of anxiety is not characterized as a disorder,

rather a sign that the limbic system is working properly as it alerts the body that all is not well,

that something is amiss (Barnhill, 2018.) Anxiety disorders disrupt the normal pattern of life for

those afflicted and present problems in completing normal tasks.

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Certain medications and medical conditions can be directly linked to anxiety. These

medications include corticosteroids, cocaine, and amphetamines. Medical conditions such as

hyperthyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, asthma, and arrhythmias

can result in clinical anxiety because of the chronic nature of the disease.

Description

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental illness, affecting 3% of the United States

population. Women are twice as more likely to develop GAD and SAD. Anxiety is not restricted

to an onset of a particular age, though it is most likely to occur during adolescence and childhood

with a mean onset age of 13 years old. An anxiety disorder inhibits and interferes with normal

daily activities, prohibiting someone from functioning no. They might worry over what they

cannot control, or see problems and conflict where none exists at all. Various forms affect

different aspects of life.

Social Anxiety Disorder. Patients suffering from SAD experience persistent fear both at

the thought of and actively being in a public place. They fear embarrassing themselves in social

situations, causing them to avoid social gatherings altogether or experience intense anxiety while

being present. They may not be able to talk in groups of unknown persons, or stay in one place

so they do not have to be a disruption for those around them. This form of anxiety causes the

patient to feel intense fear around people and they believe that they will be judged mercilessly

when seen. Because social anxiety disorder can cause people to become quiet in social settings,

they are often mistaken as shy, left undiagnosed and untreated.

While it is true that the etiology is idiopathic, certain factors may increase the risk of the

development of SAD. This could mean a traumatic life experience. Negative experiences are
Anxiety Disorders

more likely to be involved with the development of SAD if they are social in nature (Abbot and

Norton, 2017).

Generalized Anxiety Disorder. GAD may make people experience persistent worrying

for no reason over the course of hours, days, or even weeks. Cognitive guidelines for GAD

include an intolerance of uncertainty and a cognitive avoidance in order to maintain the disorder.

The most distinguished symptom of GAD is the excessive worrying over day-to-day functions

that is difficult to manage. GAD can become worse when the behaviors that reinforce negative

thoughts are continuously performed. These behaviors, such as excessive planning and/or

procrastinating in the hopes of avoiding uncertainty, only maintain the individual’s belief that

their worry is justified and thus allow the fear to continue (Mahoney, Hobbs, Willams, Andrews,

Newby, 2018).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a form of anxiety that has a direct cause with

a trigger. This trigger can be any traumatic event, short lived or continuous, that causes stress by

putting the individual in danger or by exceeding the individual’s ability to cope. These events

cause the induvial to experience bouts of intense fear, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. They

may have vivid recounts of the traumatic event throughout a normal day, which can lead to

avoiding places and things tied to the individual’s memory. Insomnia, irritability, and persistent

anxiety are manifestations of PTSD (Radu, 2018).

Treatment. Anxiety can be treated using medication and behavioral therapy. The

medication does not directly cure the anxiety itself, instead, it quells the symptoms, allowing the

patient to experience more comfort and the ability to function normally. Diagnosing and treating

other disorders may be required, such as recognizing depressive disorders and/or substance abuse
Anxiety Disorders

disorders. In cases with underlying medical conditions, anxiety medication should be prescribed

to diminish symptoms.

Outcomes. Anxiety is associated with an increased risk for depression and substance

abuse disorders (Barnhill2018). Approximately one half of patients diagnosed with depression

were also diagnosed with anxiety. With therapy and medication, patients can be fully functioning

and lead normal lives. Anxiety cannot be cured and it never fully leaves. It goes into remission,

sometimes for years at a time, but can return at any point throughout life.

Because of the stigma surrounding mental health, people experiencing anxiety often

times do not seek medical help, going years with untreated anxiety in a economy where help is

readily available. This can affect work, relationships, and physical health. This stigma stems

from fear of the patient receiving judgement or invalidation of their disorder because anxiety

cannot be physically seen.

Quality of Life. The patient’s quality of life depends on how sever their anxiety is and

what form they have. Their social lives often suffer, causing them to become more isolated

which often leads to loneliness and depression (Zanjani, 2018). Those affected by social anxiety

have an increased risk of dropping out of school or having workplace impairments. Because

anxiety causes the nervous system to work excessively, it is common for patients to not be able

to fall into a restful sleep, causing them to easily become worn out and exhausted.

Medications. Benzodiazepines have been used since the 1960s to treat anxiety, mania,

and sleeping disorders (Ogbru). Gabba Amino Buryetic Acid, GABA, is a neurotransmitter that

has a calming effect on the brain. GABA is boosted with benzodiazepines, causing the patient to

grow calmer.
Anxiety Disorders

Busipirone does not cause sedation (Ogbru). Its mechanisms are now fully known but is it

theorized that it works by stimulating serotonin type 1A receptors to alert the nerves of the

chemical messages.

In conclusion, anxiety disorders should not be overlooked as a serious health problem.

Patients suffering from these disorders require treatment as much as patients with visible

ailments. Being able to assure someone with an anxiety disorder that their pain is real and valid

is important for them to be able to reach out and receive the treatment that is readily available.
 Anxiety Disorders

References

Martin, E. I., Ressler, K. J., Binder, E., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2009). The neurobiology of anxiety

disorders: brain imaging, genetics, and psychoneuroendocrinology. The Psychiatric clinics of

North America, 32(3), 549-75.

Barnhill, John W. Overview of Anxiety Disorders - Mental Health Disorders. (2018, July). Retrieved

December 2, 2018, from https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-

and-stress-related-disorders/overview-of-anxiety-disorders

Norton, A. R., & Abbott, M. J. (2017). The Role of Environmental Factors in the Aetiology of Social

Anxiety Disorder: A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature. Behaviour

Change, 34(2), 76–97. https://doi-org.ezgcc.vccs.edu:2443/10.1017/bec.2017.7

Mahoney, A. E. J., Hobbs, M. J., Williams, A. D., Andrews, G., & Newby, J. M. (2018). The Mediating

Relationship Between Maladaptive Behaviours, Cognitive Factors, and Generalised Anxiety

Disorder Symptoms. Behaviour Change, 35(2), 123–138.

https://doiorg.ezgcc.vccs.edu:2443/10.1017/bec.2018.13

Ogbru, O. (n.d.). Buspirone, Buspar: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing. Retrieved from

https://www.medicinenet.com/buspirone/article.htm#what_are_the_side_effects_of_buspirone

Ogbru, O. (n.d.). List of Benzodiazepines: Types, Side Effects, Addiction & Withdrawal. Retrieved

from https://www.medicinenet.com/benzodiazepines_sleep-inducing-

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RADU, I., & BUMBU, A. V. (2018). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Forensic Repercussions. Acta

Medica Transilvanica, 23(2), 24–26. Retrieved from

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Zanjani, F. A., Jani, H. T., & Amiri, M. (2018). The effectiveness of group behavioral activation therapy

on cognitive and emotional symptoms in social anxiety disorder. Journal of Fundamentals of

Mental Health, 20(4), 294–301. Retrieved from

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