Going Deeper into PANIC DISORDER AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
In our discussion now, we will compare phobia and post-traumatic stress disorders first, which we consider fear disorders. Both are problems in which anxiety is felt. Also, the individual afflicted by either of them experiences
the four elements of fear: expectations of danger (the cognitive element); the emergency reaction (the somatic element); feelings of terror, apprehension, and dread (the emotional element); and avoidance and escape (the behavioral element).
Phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder are similar in that they both stem from dread of a specific object; the phobic object (cat, etc.) in the case of phobias, and the precipitating situation (flood,
etc.) in the cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. In contrast, in the anxiety disorders, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, although anxiety is also felt, there is no specific object that is feared. In these disorders, the anxiety felt by the individual is not focused on a clear and specific object.
We will now consider the two anxiety disorders. Panic attacks are acute experiences
Of anxiety, whereas generalized anxiety disorder is the chronic experience
of anxiety.
PANIC DISORDER
How many of us have at some time been suddenly overwhelmed by intense
apprehension? Physically, we feel jumpy and tense. Cognitively, we expect
that something bad-we don't know what-is going to happen. Such an attack
comes out of nowhere; no specific object or event sets it off, and the at tack
gradually subsides. But some people have more severe attacks, and
have them frequently. These people suffer from panic disorder. Panic disorder
consists of recurrent panic attacks.
A panic attack consists of the four elements of fear, with the emotional
and physical elements most salient.
Emotionally the individual is overwhelmed with intense apprehension, dread, or terror.
It was just like I was petrified with fear. If I were to meet a lion face to face, I
couldn't be more scared. Everything got black, and I felt I would faint; but I didn't.
I thought I won't be able to hold on"... (Laughlin, 1967 p. 92)
Physically, a panic attack consists of an acute emergency reaction.
My heart was beating so hard and fast it would jump out and hit my hand. I felt
like I couldn't stand up-that my legs wouldn't support me. My hands got icy and
my feet stung. There were horrible shooting pains in my forehead. My head felt
tight, like someone had pulled the skin down too tight and I wanted to pull it away...
I couldn't breathe. I was short of breath. I literally got out of breath and panted
like I had run up and down the stairs. I felt like I had run an eight-mile race. I
couldn't do anything. I felt all in; weak, no strength. I can't even dial a telephone.
... (Laughlin, 1967, p. 92)
Cognitively, the individual thinks he might die, go crazy, or blowout of
control. Even then I can't be still when I am like this. I am restless and I pace up and down.
I feel like I am just not responsible. I don't know what I'll do. These things are terrible.
I can go along real calmly for awhile. Then, without any warning, this happens.
I just blow my top. (Laughlin, 1967, p. 92)
Such an attack usually lasts for a matter of minutes, subsiding rather gradually.
What distinguishes a panic attack from a phobic disorder is that a panic attack
comes out of nowhere, rather than in response to a specific
threatening situation. As we mentioned earlier, some phobics, particularly
agoraphobics, are subject to panic attacks before their phobic disorder develops,
and the agoraphobia may in fact begin with a panic attack. There is
no definitive data on the frequency of panic attacks, although they are quite
common. Clinical experience indicates that they occur more frequently in
women than in men.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
In contrast to a panic attack, which is sudden and acute, generalized anxiety
is chronic, and may last for months on end, with the elements of anxiety
more or less continually present. Emotionally, the individual
feels jittery and tense, vigilant, and constantly on edge.
I feel tense and fearful much of the time. I don't know what it is. I can't put my
finger on it. ... I just get all nervous inside.... I act like I'm scared to death of
something. I guess maybe I am. (Laughlin, 1967, p.1 07)
Cognitively, as in panic attacks, the individual expects something awful,
but doesn't know what.
the four elements of fear: expectations of danger (the cognitive element); the emergency reaction (the somatic element); feelings of terror, apprehension, and dread (the emotional element); and avoidance and escape (the behavioral element).
Phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder are similar in that they both stem from dread of a specific object; the phobic object (cat, etc.) in the case of phobias, and the precipitating situation (flood,
etc.) in the cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. In contrast, in the anxiety disorders, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, although anxiety is also felt, there is no specific object that is feared. In these disorders, the anxiety felt by the individual is not focused on a clear and specific object.
We will now consider the two anxiety disorders. Panic attacks are acute experiences
Of anxiety, whereas generalized anxiety disorder is the chronic experience
of anxiety.
PANIC DISORDER
How many of us have at some time been suddenly overwhelmed by intense
apprehension? Physically, we feel jumpy and tense. Cognitively, we expect
that something bad-we don't know what-is going to happen. Such an attack
comes out of nowhere; no specific object or event sets it off, and the at tack
gradually subsides. But some people have more severe attacks, and
have them frequently. These people suffer from panic disorder. Panic disorder
consists of recurrent panic attacks.
A panic attack consists of the four elements of fear, with the emotional
and physical elements most salient.
Emotionally the individual is overwhelmed with intense apprehension, dread, or terror.
It was just like I was petrified with fear. If I were to meet a lion face to face, I
couldn't be more scared. Everything got black, and I felt I would faint; but I didn't.
I thought I won't be able to hold on"... (Laughlin, 1967 p. 92)
Physically, a panic attack consists of an acute emergency reaction.
My heart was beating so hard and fast it would jump out and hit my hand. I felt
like I couldn't stand up-that my legs wouldn't support me. My hands got icy and
my feet stung. There were horrible shooting pains in my forehead. My head felt
tight, like someone had pulled the skin down too tight and I wanted to pull it away...
I couldn't breathe. I was short of breath. I literally got out of breath and panted
like I had run up and down the stairs. I felt like I had run an eight-mile race. I
couldn't do anything. I felt all in; weak, no strength. I can't even dial a telephone.
... (Laughlin, 1967, p. 92)
Cognitively, the individual thinks he might die, go crazy, or blowout of
control. Even then I can't be still when I am like this. I am restless and I pace up and down.
I feel like I am just not responsible. I don't know what I'll do. These things are terrible.
I can go along real calmly for awhile. Then, without any warning, this happens.
I just blow my top. (Laughlin, 1967, p. 92)
Such an attack usually lasts for a matter of minutes, subsiding rather gradually.
What distinguishes a panic attack from a phobic disorder is that a panic attack
comes out of nowhere, rather than in response to a specific
threatening situation. As we mentioned earlier, some phobics, particularly
agoraphobics, are subject to panic attacks before their phobic disorder develops,
and the agoraphobia may in fact begin with a panic attack. There is
no definitive data on the frequency of panic attacks, although they are quite
common. Clinical experience indicates that they occur more frequently in
women than in men.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
In contrast to a panic attack, which is sudden and acute, generalized anxiety
is chronic, and may last for months on end, with the elements of anxiety
more or less continually present. Emotionally, the individual
feels jittery and tense, vigilant, and constantly on edge.
I feel tense and fearful much of the time. I don't know what it is. I can't put my
finger on it. ... I just get all nervous inside.... I act like I'm scared to death of
something. I guess maybe I am. (Laughlin, 1967, p.1 07)
Cognitively, as in panic attacks, the individual expects something awful,
but doesn't know what.
TLM Therapy
There are multiple types of therapy and counseling for GAD. One of the more successful and effective therapies for GAD is TLM (The Liberator Method). TLM can help a client understand the relationship between their thoughts, their behaviors and their symptoms. Often TLM involves a set number of 10 or more sessions.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders:
The way to resolve your... Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Agoraphobia or Panic Disorder (and other psychologically based issues) is to engage in an in-depth process of emotional healing and self-nurturing psychotherapy.
More at: http://social-anxiety-treatment-cure.weebly.com/
Of course you know the treatment method I recommend…
Click here: http://theliberatormethod.com/
There are multiple types of therapy and counseling for GAD. One of the more successful and effective therapies for GAD is TLM (The Liberator Method). TLM can help a client understand the relationship between their thoughts, their behaviors and their symptoms. Often TLM involves a set number of 10 or more sessions.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders:
The way to resolve your... Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Agoraphobia or Panic Disorder (and other psychologically based issues) is to engage in an in-depth process of emotional healing and self-nurturing psychotherapy.
More at: http://social-anxiety-treatment-cure.weebly.com/
Of course you know the treatment method I recommend…
Click here: http://theliberatormethod.com/