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There are
very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them.
Andre Gide
Although this web site in the main appears
to concern mostly OC illnesses other anxiety disorders, (a
classification which includes
OCD and a number of the
OCSDs)
should be included. Sufferers of all anxiety
disorders have something in common namely severe and incapacitating
anxiety.
Anxiety disorders* are
the most common of all psychiatric disorders. Anxiety disorder is a
term used for a group of psychological illness where anxiety,
apprehension, tension, uneasiness or even outright fear is the main
presenting symptom; the anxiety experienced is inappropriate to the
situation or circumstance which normally one would not perceive as a
threat. Compared to normal anxiety which every one experiences from
time to time the anxiety which presents with an anxiety disorder is
more intense, lasts for a longer duration and is far more
debilitating and incapacitating. The anxiety can present both as
acute anxiety such as that manifested in panic disorder in which the
suffer experiences sudden and severe attacks of intense anxiety
which can last for a few minutes to an hour, or as a more
generalised less intense chronic anxiety which can last from weeks
to months or exist permanently, as for example in the case of OCD
and general anxiety disorder GAD. Although probably less severe than
the acute anxiety experienced
during a panic attack, chronic anxiety is just as debilitating
presenting as it does persistent unrelenting and pervasive feelings
of apprehension and dread. Both types of anxiety can present in the
same person, for instance panic disorder with its sudden and severe
acute attacks of overwhelming anxiety often exists co morbidly with
just about any other anxiety disorder in particular agoraphobia. For
a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder to be made, either one or both
types of anxiety must be so extreme as to impede normal functioning
and seriously interfere with the quality of life of the sufferer. If
left untreated anxiety disorders tend to get worse.
Although OCD and some of the OCSDs are
included in the category of anxiety disorders, and of course all OC
illness including eating disorders certainly have anxiety as one of
the prominent symptoms, most people when asked what is an anxiety
disorder will more than likely not consider OC disorders as anxiety
disorders in quite the same way as disorders that appear to have
more overt and less complicated symptoms of anxiety such as a phobia
or panic attacks.
This page concerns anxiety disorders of this
nature not categorised as OC illnesses, for instance panic disorder,
panic attacks, general anxiety disorder GAD, post traumatic stress
disorder PTSD, agoraphobia, social phobia and specific phobias. It
should be mentioned however that many of the anxiety disorders
mentioned on this web page often exist co morbidly with OC disorders
and many sufferers of anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia may of
course display and have OC type symptoms. For example my sister a
sufferer of social phobia from childhood and agoraphobia since early
adulthood went on to suffer from anorexia nervosa and often she also
exhibited mild OCD type thoughts. I recall my sister’s concern that
she could not throw away anything that anyone had given her fearing
that by doing so she was throwing away the giver, in other words
causing him or her harm. My sister saved everything letters, gifts
and so on. Such is a typical OCD type thought and consequent
behaviour.
It is quite obvious therefore that there are
overlaps, and boarder-lines between illnesses become vague.
Furthermore in my personal experience and that of the many other
sufferers whom I have known over the years that several anxiety
disorders can exist co-morbidly. So lets take a look at some of the
more usual anxiety disorders with which most people are familiar.
Please bear in mind that I have
personal experience with only a few of these disorders and I am not
a mental health professional. The brief explanations below are to
provide background information only, for more expert
information concerning the conditions included on this web site
please visit the web sites listed inuseful links
and
refer to the appropriate books included in the
recommended books
page.
Lets have a look at some
of the more common anxiety disorders:
Phobias
Panic Disorder
General Anxiety Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
This web site is intended to encourage sufferers to feel
less alone by sharing experiences and accomplishments. This
not
a medical site, I have no medical qualifications. I am not a
mental health professional. This web site represents my own
perspective, some of which may not necessarily agree with current
medical practice. Consult a doctor or mental health professional for
treatment and never discontinue treatment prescribed by your doctor
or mental health professional without prior consultation. Also note
that I do
not
endorse or recommend any of the complimentary treatments
mentioned in my book:
Demons of
the Mind: A Memoir of an Obsessive-Compulsive
My personal
recommendations concerning complimentary medicine of any kind is to
never undertake any treatment without consulting your doctor first
and never replace treatment or supplement medication prescribed by
your doctor with complimentary medicine without prior consultation
with him or her. This is particularly important with homeopathic and
herbal medicine as such treatments can have serious and dangerous
interactions with orthodox medications.
For more information click
useful links
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