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What is anxiety?
• Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things.
• Victims experience: exaggerated worry & tension.
• Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
What causes anxiety?
• Triggered by stress in our lives• Some more vulnerable than others• “Negative self-talk”• Particular worry for over six
months
How do I know if I have anxiety?!
• Constant worry or stress• Tense muscles• Trembling• Numbness in limbs• Heart palpitations• Frequent headaches• Nausea
• Anxiety Disorders affect 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, in any given year.
• Women are twice as likely to be affected.• Highest risk between childhood and
middle age.
Facts
College Students• College can be stressful. • Anxiety disorders - most common mental
health problems on college campuses. • Most college & university campuses have
mental health resources available.
Treatment
• Success of treatment varies• May work instantly or take weeks/months• Medications are prescribed by physicians• Medications- calm nerves, improves mood,
promote relaxation, reduce muscular tension.• Can be used as short or long term treatment.
Treatment
• Therapy is an alternative to medication.• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - focuses
on identifying, understanding, & changing thinking and behavior patterns.
• Exposure Therapy - gradual exposure to a feared situation or object, learning to become less sensitive over time. (True Life)
Other Options …
• Sometimes medication & therapy are not successful
• Need to maintain self-control• Practice breathing & relaxation methods on
their own• Create methods that work for them
Personal Story
• Michael Timmermann • Grew up with divorced parents, father left when he was six.• The abandonment triggered anxiety attacks.• Was put on several medications throughout his childhood – none helped.• Breakthrough- “Freddie Prinze, Jr. wrote a magazine article detailing the
pain of losing his father at a young age. He, too, felt unhappy and alone as a child. I felt as though I were reading my own life story. The only difference? He was now a success.”
• Plan to change: learning positive self-talk, stopping “what-if” thinking, eliminating caffeine, improving diet, regular exercise, deep breathing exercise.
• Success!!
More information
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America – “Anxiety disorders are real, serious, and treatable.”
• Visit their website to learn more about anxiety disorders.
• http://www.adaa.org/
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