Anxiety, Phobias & Panic Attacks

The more ‘vulnerable’ an individual is in this respect, the less stress will be required to precipitate an anxiety disorder. For some people everyday stress may be en

These include genetic predisposition, early upbringing, inner conflicts, anxiety as a learned response, physical factors, self-talk, coping behaviour and social determinants.

They can also be inclined to interpret the processes happening within their bodies in an irrational and catastrophic manner

they can also arise without any external stimulus in sufferers of phobic disorders and those with panic disorder.

cause the sufferer to experience the physical symptoms associated with ‘fight-or-flight’ in quite harmless everyday situations.

panic attacks are caused by internal psychological patterns of thought.

A panic attack involves the inappropriate experience of a heightened state of arousal which the body would normally produce in preparation for confronting or fleeing real danger.

They tend to practise excessive avoidance of situations which may cause anxiety.

Individuals with GAD often suffer from low self-esteem, and they can be particularly sensitive to being criticized, rejected or ignored.

Stafford-Clark et al (1990) define an anxiety disorder as follows: ‘A state of continual irrational anxiety and apprehension, sometimes flaring up into acute fear amounting to panic, accompanied by symptoms of autonomic disturbance; with secondary effects on such other mental functions as concentration, attention, memory and judgement.’