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Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders. The best way to start dealing with an anxiety disorder is to learn more about it and how it is treated. Also visit our "Seeking help" section where you can access a list of support groups around the country. (Image: iStock)

Social phobia is not just shyness

Social phobia affects between two and three percent of people and is one of the commonest mental disorders. Yet it is one of the least studied and most misunderstood of all the anxiety disorders. This week Healthy Mind focuses on social phobia.

What is social anxiety disorder?

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), is as its name suggests an anxiety disorder, and is also known as social phobia.

Treatment for social phobia

Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, fewer than 25% of social phobia sufferers receive treatment for their conditions, despite the fact that social phobia responds extremely well to treatment.

Anxiety and the internet

People with social anxiety disorder shy away from other people and experience extreme anxiety in social situations. Read how the internet has helped one woman to cope.

How to deal with panic attacks

Anyone who has ever suffered panic attacks knows they are humiliating, debilitating, and terribly frightening.

When fear becomes crippling

Do you have an intense fear for animals, heights, blood, injections, planes? Would you rather climb ten flights than to get into a lift? If so, you may be suffering from a phobia.

OCD: Too much of a good thing

"4:30 am. The bedside alarm breaks the stillness of the night. Phillip lunges to shut it off before it wakes his girlfriend. He slides out of bed and gazes at her motionless form. Thankfully, she seems to have slept through it. Maybe they won’t fight this morning. Things are bad enough, he thinks, as he shuffles off to the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Worrying too much?

Everybody worries at times. But in the case of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), worries are much more than normal anxiety. They are excessive and relentless.

Worrying all the time?

Do you tend to worry excessively, to such an extent that you fail to enjoy life? If so, you may be suffering from generalised anxiety disorder.

Suffering from GAD?

There are several different medications that can be used for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder. These include benzodiazepines, buspirone, hydroxyzine, and antidepressants.

Kids exposed to traumatic events

In a recent survey 99% of children reported exposure to at least one traumatic event in the previous year. Of these, around 20% developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD, women and abuse

The risk of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) associated with intimate partner violence is higher than the risk of these disorders resulting from childhood physical and sexual abuse.

Worried about being anxious?

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in South Africa. We take a look at these disorders and their treatment.

Are women more anxious than men?

Did you know that of all psychological disorders, anxiety disorders are probably the most common and that women are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders than men?

The days of wine and neuroses

Cybershrink writes about wine, psychotherapy and dining with Freud.

Disaster ups PTSD risk

As many as 50 people died in the London bombings, leaving many families bereaved. But many others may also have to deal with the ongoing emotional trauma caused by such an event.

Tackle trauma early

Trauma can be likened to a Boa Constrictor Snake. It can require only one single visitation into your personal space, to quite literally, choke the life out of you.

The fear of being social

Tony dreads going to work tomorrow. For him, and million others with social anxiety disorder, interaction with others is particularly difficult.

Crime can have long-lasting effects

While authorities are finally starting to address the crime problem in South Africa, many people are still scarred by their experiences. Read what CyberShrink users have to say.

Possible causes of OCD

Prof Christine Lochner discusses the latest research on the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Your anxiety questions answered

Health24 invited two experts on anxiety disorders to answer users' questions on these conditions. Here are some of the burning questions people had.

Controlled breathing technique

When you feel anxious or stressed, simple breathing techniques can go a long way towards helping you to relax.

Anxiety experts

We have three experts who will be answering your questions on anxiety disorders this week.

Tsunami trauma

Disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan can haunt not only the survivors for years, but also the rescue workers.

Tremor vs. trauma

Recovering from trauma means getting in touch with basics and letting your body go. We look at a new form of trauma recovery and stress relief.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is an unpleasant complex combination of emotions often accompanied by physical sensations such as heart palpitations (irregular heart beat), nausea, angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, tension headache, and nervousness.

Fighting panic and phobia

Fiona Ramsey and a Helderberg plane crash disaster share their stories of living with phobias and panic.

Social Phobia

Social phobia affects between two and three percent of people and is one of the most common mental disorders. Yet it is one of the least studied and most misunderstood of all the anxiety disorders.

Myths and facts about social phobia

Social phobia is often misunderstood. Read about the myths surrounding this disorder.

Helping someone with SAD

The support, encouragement and understanding of family and friends helps the recovery of a social phobia sufferer immeasurably. Here are guidelines to help someone suffering from social phobia.

Q&A about social phobia

Read questions that are frequently asked about social phobia.

Mother-in-law phobia?

Ever heard of ranidaphobia or philophobia? Did you know that there is a word for fear of garlic? Here is a list of some lesser known phobias.

Facing what you fear most

Real-life desensitisation is an effective treatment for phobia. Also called exposure or in-vivo desensitisation, real-life desensitisation involves overcoming fears and phobias through direct exposure.

Symptoms of a Panic Attack

Chest pains, dizziness, heart palpitations … These are all symptoms of panic attacks.

OCD in the genes?

If you have Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you’re not alone. The chances are good that a family member may also have it.

Worries are not always GAD

Excessive worry is not only a feature of generalised anxiety disorder.

Help for the constant worrier

Great progress has been made in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Although treatment cannot cure the disorder, it can greatly relieve the symptoms and improve quality of life.

When trauma haunts you

Tyrone was fine after that terrible day when he was involved in an accident. Six months later his family started worrying because he became more anxious, had recurring nightmares about the event and did not function as well as he normally would.

Most SA kids exposed to trauma

Children and adolescents in South Africa are all too often exposed to extreme traumas. Girls are often subject to sexual assault, including rape. Boys may be victims of gang violence or severe bullying. Car accidents, gun fights and other forms of trauma remain common.

Traumatic events worse for some

We all recoil from terrible pictures of people who are hurt or suffering, but some people have an especially strong response to those kinds of unpleasant images.

Anxiety and alcohol

Throughout history, anxiety and alcohol have been related. It is estimated that about 60% of people in rehabilitation centres have an underlying anxiety disorder.

Alcohol abuse seldom treated

Between 30 and 60% of alcohol abusers have underlying depression and anxiety disorders. Yet many doctors treat anxiety and depression but fail to treat alcohol dependence.

Anxiety and depression linked

Depression and anxiety disorders frequently co-exist. Approximately 50% of people who are clinically depressed, also suffer from an anxiety disorder.

Monk's OCD: Fact or fiction?

Does the TV series Monk give an accurate portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Or does it do more harm than good?

Monk: Just made-for-TV OCD?

The detective Monk in the TV series with the same name, suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Health24 gives us a glimpse into the lives of real Monks.

All the rage

Think of the last time you were really angry. When your boss took credit for work you did? When your husband came home late on your birthday?

Fear of flying

Does the semi-regular news about plane crashes hurt your in-flight confidence? There are simple steps you can take to overcome fear of flying.

Panic: your questions answered

A panic attack can be terrifying. We've rounded up four guest experts to answer your questions about panic disorders.

Panic

Panic Disorder can terrify the toughest of South Africans. Here is how to recognise and how to deal with it.

Helping someone with anxiety

Do you know how you could help a family member with an anxiety disorder? The South African Depression and Anxiety Group offers advice.

When panic strikes

Panic attacks are far more common than thought. Fortunately, this condition can be effectively treated with a combination of medication and therapy.

6 million in SA may have PTSD

Up to 25% of South Africans could suffer from post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Workshops on PTSD will be held across the country soon.

Too much too soon

Can the good intentions and passion to help people soon after a traumatic event do more harm than good?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a potentially disabling anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterized by an unpleasant complex combination of emotions often accompanied by physical sensations such as heart palpitations (arrhythmias or irregular heart beat), nausea, angina (chest pain), shortness of breath, tension headache, and nervousness. Symptoms of OCD can lead to generalized anxiety.