What's normal anxiety -- and what's an anxiety disorder? | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter

Question 1

Lot stigma around mental health issues

Answer 1

Tell you suck it up
Get it together
Stop worrying
All in head

Question 2

Classic symp of anxiety disorder:

Answer 2

contanst worry, trouble sleeping, tense muscles, struggle with concentrating but not getting treatment: due to insurance not covering it; some been dismissed/minimized in past; stigma and affect future jobs/relationships

Question 3

Severe anxiety is a

Answer 3

health a prob; not a moral/personal failing - treated with same kind of seriousness

Question 4

Anxiety

Answer 4

Very real and norm emotion feel in stressful situation; related to fear
Fear - response to immediate threat that quickly subsides
Response to more uncertain threats that tends to last much longer - all part of threat detection sys
Starts in amygdala (alert other areas brain to be ready for defensive action); hypo relays the signal setting off stress response in body - muscles tense, RR and HR increase, BP increases; areas brainstem kick in and put you in a state of high alertness - fight-or-flight response
Threat-detection sys and mechanisms that reduce/inhibit them are functioning incorrectly and cause worry about future and safety in it; many have it go into overdrive
Persistent pervasive anxiety that disrupts life and leads to avoid situations that may trigger symp

Question 5

16% of indivs currently have/had

Answer 5

anxiety disorder: social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and phobias

Question 6

People with anxiety disorders:

Answer 6

diff way to react to stress and differences in how brain working

Question 7

Treatment for anxiety and not have to suffer; about changing brain patterns; brains have ability reorganize and form new connections throughout lifes

Answer 7

Eat balanced diet, exercise regularly, plenty sleep because mind part body
Meditation - mindfulness and breathing - slow down fight/flight response and improve how feel in the moment
Cognitive behavioral therapy (form talk therapy) - identify upsetting thoughts and determine whether realistic; overtime can rebuild neural pathways that tamp down anxiety response
Meds - relief short-term (down-regulate threat-detection mechanisms going into overdrive) and long-term
Long-term meds and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce overactivity of amygdala seen in anxiety disorders