...Panic Disorder A panic attack is sudden and very intense feeling of fear that causes an extreme feeling of danger. It comes with symptoms of anxiety, rapid heart rate, cold sweats and hyperventilation. A person suffering from panic disorder may have several panic attacks in a month and have severe fear of having another. Panic disorder is a chronic, crippling condition that can be a major blow on a sufferer’s family, work, and life. The first attack comes without warning. A person can be running their daily errands when an attack can happen. Heart palpation, cold sweats and a feeling of immanent doom occurs. An attack can last for seconds or minutes but to a sufferer it feels like forever. Once you have your first attack you are left always waiting for the next attack to happen. One out of 63 Americans is affected each year with this debilitating disorder. The fear of panic attacks increases and a person begins to stay away from situations in which a panic attack has the possibility to happen. In extreme cases, a sufferer is afraid to leave the house for fear of an attack happening in an open public place where people can witness the panic attack, causing the feeling of embarrassment and being labeled “crazy”. This irrational fear is called agoraphobia. Researchers don’t know what exactly triggers panic attacks, but they believe part of it is genetic. They feel that people with this disorder may have increased sensitivity within the nervous system...
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...Case Study Report What diagnosis has been given to this client? Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia Background Information Please outline the major symptoms of this disorder. According to the DSM, the major symptoms of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia are, recurrent panic attacks and enduring anxiety about experiencing another panic attack. The individual is also anxious about going places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where they will be unable to receive assistance in case of emergency. The symptoms cannot be better explained by another medical or psychological effect. Briefly describe the client’s background (age, race, occupation etc). The client is named Annie, and she is a 24 year-old Caucasian woman. According to the case history she had an abusive relationship with her parents, and started experiencing mental health problems during puberty. Annie is currently unemployed, and is receiving disability payments from the federal government. Please describe any factors in the client’s background that might predispose him or her to this disorder. During the interview, Annie states that her childhood was normal. However, during the interview she occasionally alludes to some abusive experiences, but is reluctant to talk about them any further. The client also makes reference to the night terrors she experienced at the young age of four, eight and twelve. These “intense” nightmares terrified her growing up, and she attributes...
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...According to Rachman and Silva (2009), “Approximately 15 out of 1000 people will experience panic disorder at some point in their life. (p.19)” Actions all over the world have been taken to better treat individuals that suffer from anxiety disorders like panic disorder (Rachman and Silva, 2009, p.x). Although not every panic attack is associated with panic disorder, if untreated, it can become severe and possibly chronic (Rachman and Silva, 2009, p.19). Panic disorder afflicts approximately 1.5 to 3.5 percent of the entire population, specifically women (Root, 2000, p. 1). In the United States of America alone, there is an estimated three to six million individuals who suffer from this disease (Root, 2000, p. x). Panic disorder has an extensive...
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...Part I As of this date, the best evidenced-based treatment for treating panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, appears to be a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy. There are numerous studies to support this claim, some of which will be discussed here. There have been a number of comparative studies of psychotherapy, drug treatment, and a combination of both in the treatment of panic disorder and most have indicated that a combination is superior to mono-therapy of either type (Bandelow, Lichte, Rudolf, Wiltink, & Beutel, 2014). There are other methods that are also used, but current research shows that none appear to be as effective as this combination. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses, although persons suffering from them rarely seek treatment. Specific phobias are the most common type of anxiety disorder followed closely by panic disorder/agoraphobia (PDAG). Anxiety disorders are now thought to originate from an interaction of psychosocial, genetic, and neurobiological factors (Bandelow et al., 2014). Panic disorder (PD) is associated with significant personal, social, and economic costs and ranks among the most expensive psychiatric disorders (White et al., 2013). Merriam-Webster defines panic disorder, panic attack and agoraphobia as...
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...A Critical Evaluation of Three Different Methods for Treating Panic Disorder A Critical Evaluation of Three Different Methods for Treating Panic Disorder Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (2003) described panic disorder (PD) as an anxiety disorder in people that are characterised by intense fear within discrete periods, with the symptoms of ‘flight or fight’ response. Symptoms commonly associated with PD are: palpitations, accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling and shaking, fear of losing control, abdominal distress and fear of dying. Studies across the developed world have shown that PD prevalence is between 1.4% and 2.9%, with more women being affected by PD (Australia & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2003). PD can lead to serious consequences which can result in recurrent panic attacks, alcohol and drug abuse or risk of attempting suicide, if not treated (Bouton, Mineka, & Barlow, 2001). The three treatment methods that will be assessed are: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) augmented by panic surfing, a combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy using serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and short term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP). It will be argued that a combination of CBT and SSRI is the best treatment for PD. CBT is a method that involves a paradigm of a fight or flight response and the role of bodily hyper-vigilance. Panic surfing is used to reduce anxiety by ‘riding out the wave of anxiety’ instead of trying to control...
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...and sometimes people get so overwhelmed, they go into a state panic. Anxiety is actually a normal human reaction to stress. However, in severe cases, anxiety and panic can become disabling and interfere with everyday living. For an adolescent, life is already stressful enough. How does an adolescent, then, live day to day with one or both of these conditions? This paper will take an in depth look at what anxiety, specifically generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder are, signs and symptoms that show severe anxiety and/or panic disorder is present in an adolescent, treatment methods for both GAD and panic disorder, and two websites offering advice and treatment for families with a diagnosed adolescent. While there are several types of anxiety disorders including GAD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias, and panic disorder, this paper will focus on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder in the adolescent population. Before we can discuss any aspects of GAD or panic disorder, we have to understand exactly what these two metal disorders are. Anxiety is the less severe disorder of the two. In general, anxiety is present in every human being. Feeling anxious is a normal circumstance in everyone’s life and, at times, can be beneficial in certain situations. Anxiety refers to the brain’s natural response to danger (Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders). To most people, this is referred to as our “fight or flight”...
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...The anxiety disorder is a comprehensive disorder which includes separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder due to another medical condition, other specified anxiety disorder,unspecified anxiety disorder on DSM-5. This case will be focused on a client who has panic disorder, so that I'm going to start with some information about it. ''The DSM-5 describes a panic attack as “an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.” Panic disorder can cause a variety of interpersonal and occupational problems. Individuals with recurrent...
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...Panic Disorder Back in the early 1990’s, I had it all: A loving wife, a coveted management job, a supportive network of friends and family. My wife and I would go out almost every night to trendy restaurants and dance clubs with friends. In my spare time, I would visit residents at the local senior center. It was a different story behind the scenes: Starting in my early twenties, I began to suffer mild panic attacks and unpleasant cycles of thought. I worried constantly that I was on the verge of being laid off work, or dying of cancer, or that my spouse was being unfaithful. My fears and panic attacks kept me at home afraid to go out in public and caused me to fight with my friends and family. The fiasco My first major anxiety attack occurred when I was going through a particularly stressful time at work. I started to have a panic attack. I was paralyzed with fear, I couldn’t catch my breath and I thought I was going to die. Although the episode lasted only a few minutes it seemed like an eternity. I was so embarrassed afterwards because I knew that my co-workers now knew something was wrong with me. It was the company nurse who sent me to the hospital emergency room with an imagined heart attack (where doctors unable to find anything sent me home). It was at this point I too thought there was something seriously wrong. I didn’t want to go back to work; I was afraid, I could have another attack and decided to go see if the doctor could help me. The Doctor visit I went...
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...Midbrain Volume Increase in Patients with Panic Disorder I. Statement of the Problem The study aims to investigate structural abnormalities of the midbrain using magnetic resonance imaging and to determine if there is a clinical correlation between midbrain volume and clinical measurements in patients with Panic Disorder. II. Findings Relative midbrain volume was larger in the Panic Disorder group than in the Healthy Controls group. The relative volume of the dorsal midbrain was larger in the Panic Disorder group, while the volume of the ventral midbrain was not. Results showed a significant positive correlation between relative dorsal midbrain volume and total Panic Disorder Severity Scale score, and a significant negative correlation between relative dorsal midbrain volume and Global Assessment of Functioning score in the Panic Disorder group. Thus, these findings suggest that the dorsal midbrain is associated with Panic Disorder pathophysiology. The midbrain volume increase may reflect Panic Disorder severity. III. Implications to Biological Psychology Biological Psychology is essentially concerned with the relationship between psychological processes and the underlying physiological events, in other words, the mind-body phenomenon. This study between the midbrain volume and patients with panic disorder yielded a significant result. At the onset of this study the extent to which the midbrain is associated with Panic Disorder pathophysiology is unclear, but after...
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...PSY 102: Psychology in the Modern World Your Name: Instructor: Bob Melara Your Section: FALL 2015 Your TA’s Name: Homework #8 (Personality and Psychological Disorders) 1. During a heated argument with his father, 17-year old Carlos developed a paralysis of his right arm. Medical examinations can find no physical cause for the paralysis. Use the psychoanalytic perspective to explain how the paralysis may be Carlos’ attempt to deal with an unconscious conflict between his id and superego. Ans) According to the psychoanalytic perspective Carlos paralysis is caused by the id being hidden by the superego. the heated argument between Carlos and his father may have gone too far that Carlos wanted to take physical action against his father. Instead of allowing the id to do something rash the superego paralyzed his right arm. 2. a) Describe the function of defense mechanisms. b) Name six of them and c) explain each. a) The function of defense mechanism is to redirect or decrease anxiety by distorting reality. All defense mechanisms usually function unconsciously and indirectly. b) Repression- is to block a threatening idea, memory or emotion. An example of this can be a kid biting his nail on the bus ride to school. Reaction formation- suppressing unacceptable behavior by implementing it’s opposite behavior. For example when a kid is very angry with his parents he will hide this behavior and act friendly. Projection – is when a person...
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...Analyzing Psychological Disorders Lynn Bible PSY/240 December 2, 2012 Pam Stoelzel Analyzing Psychological Disorders Schizophrenia, drug abuse, and anxiety are all complex psychological disorders. When helping someone that suffers from these disorders, you must understand how and why they work the way that they do. All three disorders come with symptoms that can cause people not blend in with society and live a normal life. The right kinds of treatment can help people to overcome the symptoms of these disorders and live a normal life, but they are not curable. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia affects the most crucial parts of the brain: the forebrain, the hindbrain, and the limbic system. The forebrain includes the cerebral hemispheres (hypothalamus, thalamus, corpus callosum, and the limbic system). It controls cognition, sensory and motor functions, temperature regulation, hunger, sleep cycles, and emotional expressions. The frontal lobe of the forebrain causes positive symptoms of schizophrenia like delusions. The temporal lobe of the forebrain distorts sounds and visions causing hallucinations. The hindbrain includes the pons, medulla, and the cerebellum. Schizophrenia affects this part of the brain causing the negative symptoms as in distorted motor functions, body language, and catatonic behaviors. The limbic system includes the hippocampus and the amygdala. The functions of this area of the brain are regulated emotions, memories, learning, and...
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...The Effects of Patients' Anxiety Disorder on Their Families Courtney Schacherer Utah Valley University Abstract The struggles people diagnosed with anxiety disorders endure are well documented, but the families of those people are often not considered. It is up to the family to be the main support system while at the same time not perpetuating their loved one's symptoms. Forty million adults are affected with some form of anxiety disorder in the U.S. in a given year. That means there is a least an additional forty million people who are affected by watching a loved one deal with the hardships anxiety brings. It is the family who take up the responsibilities that the anxiety suffer is unable to perform. It can have a critical impact on the family's way of life, means of support, caring for children and on the close relationships within the family dynamic. To watch a loved one suffer with an anxiety disorder can be immensely painful, intensely frustrating and overwhelmingly stressful. The toll it can have can seriously damage family relationships if the illness is left untreated or continues for an indefinite period of time. For a person suffering from an anxiety disorder, supportive loved ones can play a key role in their recovery and treatment. But if the loved ones own needs are overlooked, it can be harmful to the treatment process and make a difficult situation worse. The Effects of Patients' Anxiety Disorders on the Families Patient J is a 29 year old stay at...
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...REASON FOR REFERRAL Tom has expressed experiencing anxiety for most of his life. He experiences anxiety when he deals with conflict, when he is in certain social situations, when he thinks about his future, and whether he is on the right track. He would like to gain a better understanding of his anxiety and of his own personal identity. Tom currently does not seem to have any emotional support. These testing materials may give him a better insight into understanding himself, his anxiety, and possibly finding emotional support from a professional mental health provider. BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATIONS AND INTERVIEW DATA Tom completed the evaluation over a period of two sessions. He arrived on time for both sessions. He dressed casually for both appointments. He wore jeans and a long sleeve shirt for the first session, and he wore shorts and tee-shirt for the second session. Tom is a white male in his late 20’s whose appearance is consistent with his stated chronological age. Tom is currently experiencing anxiety due to a recent move from Columbus, Georgia to Coweta County, where he lives with his maternal grandparents. Tom is working in the greater Atlanta area full time and commutes four times a week to work ten hour shifts. He is currently working with a real estate company to purchase property close to work. He states that he has experienced anxiety on and off for about fifteen years, but is unsure of what caused his anxiety. He experiences mostly physical symptoms, such as...
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...Abigail Meyers Psychology 101 Journal #4 Ten million to twenty million Americans are alcoholics. As a child, I was raised by an alcoholic father. Although he successfully recovered with currently four years sober, growing up was not the easiest. I am amazed and sympathetic to the number of children whom witness a relative intoxicated. In my fathers case, he used drugs, as wells as alcohol as a suppressant, a form of self-medication for his anxiety and depression. Usually in adolescence the use of drugs is common for experimentation, curiosity, conformity to peer pressure, parental use, rebellion, boredom, and pleasure. I believe my dad used drugs for every single factor. I've always feared that because I have a greater likelihood to develop alcoholism, I will become an alcoholic due to my fathers history. According to (Conrad Eta., 2001) "People with a family history of alcoholism are also more sensitive to the stimulating effect of alcohol, which occurs at lower levels of intoxication." Alcohol is a depressant, it is well-known and a very famous one. I like in the chapter discussion how it explained the normality to drink alcohol in public relieving ones anxiety, depression, and loneliness with no criticism whatsoever. But, take another form of a depressant, such as Valium and cocaine and the severity exceeds. It's no longer consider normal, it is looked down in society. I think this is the reason why people who are alcoholics don't realize when they are addicted to...
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...ELEMENTARY STRESS AND ANXIETY 1 STRESS IN ELEMENTARY CHILDREN By Marcy L. Kusz SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY March 29, 2009 APPROVED BY: Derek L. Anderson, Ed.D. DATE: March 30, 2009 ELEMENTARY STRESS AND ANXIETY 2 Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………. 3 Chapter I: Introduction……………………………………………………………… 4 Statement of Problem……………………………………………………………… 5 Research Question(s)………………………………………………………………. 6 Definition of Terms………………………………………………………………… 7 Chapter II: Review of Literature…………………………………………………….. 9 The Effects of Stress………………………………………………………….. 9 Media and Stress……………………………………………………………… 11 Stress in the Family…………………………………………………………… 13 Stress in the School…………………………………………………………… 15 Helping Children Cope with Stress and Anxiety……………………………... 16 Chapter III: Results and Analysis Relative to the Problem…………………………… 20 Chapter IV: Recommendations and Conclusion……………………………………… 21 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………… 21 Areas for Further Research………………………………………………………….. 23 Summary and Conclusion…………………………………………………………… 24 References……………………………………………………………………………… 25 ELEMENTARY STRESS AND ANXIETY 3 Abstract Changes in our society have put new pressures and stresses on elementary children. Many children are now starting to feel the pressures of...
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