Anxiety is a state of mind wherein a person experiences a number of emotions at the same time such as nervousness, fear, uneasiness, worry to name a few. This is accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitation , headache, unsettled stomach, chest pain and the like.
This can be triggered off due to a number of reasons such as one's circumstances, certain traumatic experiences or anything perceived by the person as traumatic. When this anxiety extends for a prolonged period it is time to be warned and seek professional help. This condition of the person is known as anxiety disorder.
However, according to the American Psychoanalytic Association, this act of "armchair psychoanalysis" may do more harm than good for Britney Spears, or pretty much anyone that is subjected to the same treatment.
One of the many things that the ASA, along with several other mental health professionals, finds disturbing is the fact that most of these diagnoses are invalid.
In a number of cases, assigning problems like anxiety disorder or bi-polar disorder to someone other than the therapist or psychiatrist whom one has never met personally is unprofessional and dangerous.
Phobias - It is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain, objects, activities, or persons. The primary symptoms of this condition is excessive, unreasonable, intention to factors that bring fear.
The ASA is also worried that these diagnoses showing up on the tabloids are being made by uninformed laymen, who have no idea how to properly discern the signs and symptoms of a mental illness. They contend that while Britney's behavior might show "classic" signs of being bi-polar, it might actually be some rare form of anxiety disorder.
The ASA is concerned not only with the impact such accusations might have on Spears' mental health (which they have declined to speculate on), but also on the public perception of psychology and psychiatry as a whole. According to them, a proper diagnosis emerges from several consultations and meetings with the patient, and not merely the observations of "ridiculous" behavior that the tabloids were making.
Anxiety disorder due to physical causes. These include general medical conditions or developed because of substance abuse.
Another problem that worries the ASA is the possibility that these diagnoses will be taken by the general public as fact. This stems from the fact that Britney Spears' celebrity status, combined with the incorrect diagnoses and outright "labeling" by the tabloids, can give the general public drastic misconceptions on the nature of mood and anxiety disorders. It might also cause people to mistakenly attempt to "self-diagnose" their problems and attribute them to one disorder or another.
Sessions of psychotherapy may be enough to treat mild anxiety disorders. Many health professionals however encourage the use of medications coupled with psychotherapy to treat patients with severe cases of anxiety disorders. Because of many medications and treatment for anxiety disorders doctors may not be able to predict which combination is beneficial for a certain individual. There are cases that doctors may try a different medication or treatment over a period of six to eight weeks in order to assess their effectiveness.
Many health professionals encourage individuals affected with anxiety disorder to engage in physical activities like weight training, cardiovascular exercises, yoga, and other physical activities. These activities may help relieve anxiety and emotional tensions. In addition, these activities promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. These substances are produced by the brain and may help promote a state of bliss and relaxation. Individuals who are affected by anxiety disorders should seek the help of health professionals so that they can develop a treatment plan for their condition.
This can be triggered off due to a number of reasons such as one's circumstances, certain traumatic experiences or anything perceived by the person as traumatic. When this anxiety extends for a prolonged period it is time to be warned and seek professional help. This condition of the person is known as anxiety disorder.
However, according to the American Psychoanalytic Association, this act of "armchair psychoanalysis" may do more harm than good for Britney Spears, or pretty much anyone that is subjected to the same treatment.
One of the many things that the ASA, along with several other mental health professionals, finds disturbing is the fact that most of these diagnoses are invalid.
In a number of cases, assigning problems like anxiety disorder or bi-polar disorder to someone other than the therapist or psychiatrist whom one has never met personally is unprofessional and dangerous.
Phobias - It is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain, objects, activities, or persons. The primary symptoms of this condition is excessive, unreasonable, intention to factors that bring fear.
The ASA is also worried that these diagnoses showing up on the tabloids are being made by uninformed laymen, who have no idea how to properly discern the signs and symptoms of a mental illness. They contend that while Britney's behavior might show "classic" signs of being bi-polar, it might actually be some rare form of anxiety disorder.
The ASA is concerned not only with the impact such accusations might have on Spears' mental health (which they have declined to speculate on), but also on the public perception of psychology and psychiatry as a whole. According to them, a proper diagnosis emerges from several consultations and meetings with the patient, and not merely the observations of "ridiculous" behavior that the tabloids were making.
Anxiety disorder due to physical causes. These include general medical conditions or developed because of substance abuse.
Another problem that worries the ASA is the possibility that these diagnoses will be taken by the general public as fact. This stems from the fact that Britney Spears' celebrity status, combined with the incorrect diagnoses and outright "labeling" by the tabloids, can give the general public drastic misconceptions on the nature of mood and anxiety disorders. It might also cause people to mistakenly attempt to "self-diagnose" their problems and attribute them to one disorder or another.
Sessions of psychotherapy may be enough to treat mild anxiety disorders. Many health professionals however encourage the use of medications coupled with psychotherapy to treat patients with severe cases of anxiety disorders. Because of many medications and treatment for anxiety disorders doctors may not be able to predict which combination is beneficial for a certain individual. There are cases that doctors may try a different medication or treatment over a period of six to eight weeks in order to assess their effectiveness.
Many health professionals encourage individuals affected with anxiety disorder to engage in physical activities like weight training, cardiovascular exercises, yoga, and other physical activities. These activities may help relieve anxiety and emotional tensions. In addition, these activities promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. These substances are produced by the brain and may help promote a state of bliss and relaxation. Individuals who are affected by anxiety disorders should seek the help of health professionals so that they can develop a treatment plan for their condition.
0 comments