Classification Essay -

Debbie Suer
Joel Murphy
English 51
Classification Essay
May 9, 2009
Peeling the Onion of Anxiety Disorders
Getting to the core of emotional anxiety is similar to peeling the layers off an onion. Many components of emotional anxiety can build up over time or come on suddenly. Three types of anxiety disorders are panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fortunately, the idea of working with a psychologist or family therapist is widely accepted in our society today. However, when not dealt with, these emotions can be extremely detrimental to our physical health. It is known that the stress of these anxiety disorders can be a
factor in heart disease and cancer. Therefore, it is always best to try to get to the root of a problem before these states of emotion reek havoc over our bodies.
Panic disorder is displayed by feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly, usually without warning. There can also be the feeling of impending doom – that something horrific is going to happen at any given moment. I had personal experience with this phenomenon at one time in my life. For example, as I was driving on the freeway, the sudden fear that the big truck in the next lane would turn and topple over on my car and crush me, overwhelmed me. In addition, maybe an earthquake will happen while in an elevator, or in a large city with tall buildings. These types of fear will sometimes limit the quality of life because you are too afraid to participate in certain daily activities. A panic attack can cause increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, numbness and shortness of breath.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder plagues their victims by constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. The disturbing thoughts are called obsessions,and the rituals performed are called compulsions. An example is a person with an unreasonable fear of germs who constantly washes his or her hands. Another common compulsion that displays urgent, repetitive behavior, is re-checking, for example, making sure that all the doors and windows are locked before they leave the house, then checking again, and again – just to make sure. People with this disorder also have a tendancy to count items, for example, paper clips, lines on the road, boxes on a shelf, etc.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop following a traumatic and/or terrifying event, such as a sexual or physical assault, a natural disaster, or the unexpected death of a loved one. People with PTSD often have lasting and frightening thoughts and memories of the event, and tend to be emotionally numb. Being exposed to the event may have threatened death or serious injury. The person will react with intense fear,helplessness and horror. The traumatic event is persistently reexperienced through dreams, recollections or even
the sudden feeling that the event was actually occurring
Anxiety is a normal and very common human experience. The anticipation of potentialthreats and dangers usually help us to avoid them. It is, however, when these worries become unrealistic and result in chronic uneasiness, fear of impending doom, bouts of terror and panic, then time to seek out professional help. Usually with either a psychiatrist who can prescribe medicine to help reduce the symptoms of the disorder, such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication and/or a psychologist, who will help to facilitate psychotherapy sessions by
group or individual counseling. It is usually a slow process that helps people by talking through their feelings, and “peel away” the layers of their problems, to help understand and deal with the disorder. Sometimes cognitive-behavioral therapy is used. This is where the person is taught how to recognize and change their behaviors and thought patterns that lead to the disturbing feelings in the first place. Dietary and lifestyle changes are also beneficial.
My advise to anyone that is suffering from any of these anxiety disorders would be to go to their primary care physician to get a referral to a treatment facility or clinic that has the appropriate health care professional suited for their needs. There has been a steady decline of people occupying hospital beds with anxiety disorders, largely because psychotherapeutic drugs,and psychotherapy, allowing people to be released more quickly, as out-patients and finally be
able to go about their daily lives without the burden of such devistating feelings.
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