It’s a hard pill to swallow but people view individuals with anxiety disorders as weak, overthinkers, non-risk-takers, etc. Just so you know, it’s very hard to function at work, at school, or even at home for people experiencing anxiety. Anxiety disorder is a mental illness and it’s time to know if you or anyone around you is struggling from it.

This episode of Our Mental Health Matters Podcast should be a good start in understanding the basics of anxiety disorders. Dr Lade dives deep in the major types, the symptoms, and the treatments. She emphasizes that anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Start learning and informing your loved ones about these. Ask for medical help and be supportive for every individual who experiences anxiety.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “Anxiety disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder. Globally, 1 out of 13 people will have a form of anxiety disorder.”
• Anxiety is associated with inappropriate fear.
• Major types of anxiety: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder – excessive worry & excessive apprehension about general things; occurs in most days for a minimum of 6 months
  • Social Phobia – extreme apprehension in social situations; complete withdrawal from society
  • Specific Phobia – fear of one particular object
  • Panic Disorder – recurrent panic attacks
• Anxiety disorders are highly treatable.
  • Psychological – talking or behavioural therapies that address their thoughts and emotions
  • Biological – medications that are effective to remove anxiety for short-term
  • Sociological – making changes in the environment to accommodate the individual
• How do you help a loved one with an anxiety disorder?
  • Ensure that they take their prescribed medication.
  • Make them write their thoughts in a diary.
  • Help them on ways to relax.
  • Encourage them to keep a daily routine.

BEST MOMENTS

• “Shyness is different from social phobia... In shyness, people can still go into social situations… the fear or anxiety in shyness is not that extreme.”
• “Do not expect the changes to happen overnight. As highly treatable as anxiety disorders are, we have to know that it will take time for the treatment to kick in.”
• “It’s important for people who have anxiety to have a daily routine. This is very paramount because having a daily routine helps prepare their minds on what’s going to happen, helps them more for situations they’re going to face during the day, and helps their mind be at rest.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr Omalade Amaka Abuah is a Specialist Registrar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the National Health Service (NHS). She is a medical doctor with a passion for mental health matters in children and adolescents.

Dr Lade aims to reach out to everyone and encourage learning about mental health through the Our Mental Health Matters Podcast. A better understanding of mental health is the first step in helping your loved one cope with mental illness, improve his mental health, and live his best life.

CONTACT METHOD

• Dr Lade’s Twitter
• Dr Lade’s LinkedIn