ANXIETY DISORDERS
For some, seeing a spider or crossing a bridge can be very uncomfortable. For others, panic may arise when they find themselves in a crowd, attending a wedding or needing to ask for a day off work. You know it is time to act when you can hardly sleep, when you don't want to leave your home, when relationships in different spheres of your life become nightmares, when you get stomach pains or when your thoughts become foggy. It is okay to talk about what troubles you.
ANXIETY
Anxiety has no age or gender. When it takes up too much space in a life, it hurts ... In 2014, in Quebec, about a quarter of the population aged 15 and over (26.2%) said they experienced fairly intense stress in their lives. Today, we are less afraid to talk about anxiety. With a little courage, you can help yourself and succeed in living better.
DEMYSTIFYING ANXIETY
Anxiety is a healthy and natural process. It is a reaction we all experience and it prepares our body to face real dangers that can arise in daily life. It can manifest through symptoms such as an accelerated heart rate, a rush of adrenaline, suddenly feeling hot or a feeling of nervousness that is stronger than usual. Anxiety is problematic when this very intense fear prevents a person from functioning freely and causes significant suffering. We then react to everyday situations as if they were truly dangerous.
It is possible to find a safe and comforting place that will lead you to better understand anxiety as well as develop ways to manage it. At Le Versant, you will be listened to, understood, respected, and guided to learn different ways to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. A person who suffers from such disorders will greatly benefit from the time invested in learning to manage their anxiety. Although it takes courage to join a support group, it is well worth it.
Psychological distress and persistent negative emotions can lead to depression and anxiety disorders. According to the Douglas Foundation, almost half (49%) of people who believe they have already suffered from depression or anxiety have never consulted a doctor about it. But once depression is diagnosed, 80% of those suffering from it can resume their usual activities after getting the help they needed.
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Fondation Douglas – Facts about mental healt in Canada
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OVERVIEW OF SOME
ANXIETY DISORDER
Specific phobias
It is an obsessive fear of an object or situation. Examples include: fear of certain animals or insects; fear of heights, of water, of thunder; fear of flying, elevators, closed spaces; fear of injections, blood; fear of vomiting, fainting, etc.
The panic attack
These are episodes of intense anxiety that appear with or without apparent reason. Physical symptoms include hot flashes, palpitations, nausea, dizziness, tremors, shortness of breath, feeling of suffocation. It is an intense fear of either fainting, losing control, dying or going crazy. Sometimes the person is afraid of other attacks and worries about their consequences.
Agoraphobia
It is the fear of being in a place where it would be dangerous to have a panic attack. This often leads the person to avoid or flee these situations. Examples include: being in a public place, going to a restaurant, the cinema, being alone at home or elsewhere, taking the elevator, crossing a bridge or driving on the highway, going to the doctor, the dentist or the bank, sitting in the back seat of a car. It is a state that risks diminishing a person's freedom, limiting their social life and isolating them.
Social phobia
It is a significant fear of the judgment of others which has negative consequences on the quality of life of people who suffer from it. Some people feel very uncomfortable with certain situations and even try to avoid them. Examples include: eating in public, talking to your boss, expressing your opinion during a meeting, talking to strangers, looking for a job, going to public restrooms, doing group activities or participating in social events like weddings, funerals and office parties.
Generalized anxiety
Some people experience significant anxiety about life in general that is relatively constant and difficult to control. They often experience fatigue and muscle tension. They tend to create negative scenarios and often become hypervigilant leaving them more vulnerable to stress. We speak of generalized anxiety after at least 6 months of excessive and persistent anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms.
REFERENCES
If stress and anxiety bother you to the point of not functioning normally, it is recommended to talk to a doctor, a psychologist, a social worker or a professional licensed to practice psychotherapy. The website of the Order of Psychologists of Quebec serves as a guide to ensure that you consult a competent person.
