Essay Introduction
Anxiety is the most frequent health concern among adolescents lately, but it is majorly overlooked. This raises concern for anxiety-diagnosed individuals because the problems they face with this disease will keep up with them through adulthood. Understanding how to recognize and control this disease is the most important way to move forward into normal life. This article will help you understand what anxiety is and how it affects adolescents in today’s society.
Research Paper on Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concerns in the United States, affecting over six million individuals in the ages of twelve through eighteen. Fortunately, this disease is treatable when diagnosed and treated by a medical professional; however, eighty percent of teens with anxiety are not seeking treatment. The topic of anxiety is growing in severity because it was found that teens dealing with anxiety disorders are six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety.
Argumentative Essay Examples on Anxiety
As professionals started looking into what was causing this disorder, they established that anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life events. My goal in this paper is to provide you with basic knowledge of anxiety disorders and how we treat this disease in adolescents. I will address the following questions: What types of anxiety disorders affect adolescents? When do anxiety disorders become apparent in individuals? What do we know about the biology underlying anxiety disorders? What evidence-based treatments exist for anxiety disorders in adolescence? What types of anxiety disorders affect adolescents? Anxiety disorders share common emotions among individuals, which include excessive fear, avoidance of whatever is feared, and anticipation and worry when expected to face whatever is feared.
Thesis Statement for Anxiety
There are several types of anxiety disorders, but I have narrowed it down to certain ones most people are familiar with. The disorders I am covering in this article are generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobia. Generalized anxiety disorder can abnormalize someone’s life in a matter of weeks. It causes individuals to have constant worries about issues they are dealing with in their life and in their social life.
Social phobia, which is mainly triggered during school for adolescents, is a fear of social interaction and/or performance situations. Separation anxiety deals with individuals that worry about being separated from home or attachment figures. One of the worst, panic disorder, causes intense bursts of anxiety that have a sudden start and end, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Lastly, a specific phobia (most common anxiety disorder) is a fear of a certain object or situation, such as spiders or heights.
Research Papers: Exploring Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Differences in brain chemistry Genetics Development and personality Difficulty concentrating Fatigue Muscle tension/aches Sweating Nausea Decrease school or athletic performances Lack of confidence Avoid certain situations. (ex. school functions)
Social Phobia: Genetics Negative experiences New social or work demands Having an appearance or condition that draw attention Temperament Blushing Fast heartbeat Trembling Sweating Dizziness Nausea Muscle Tension Dating life Low academic and employment achievement Substance abuse Suicide or suicide attempts.
Separation Anxiety: Life stresses Loss that results in separation Temperaments Genetics Environmental issues Excessive worry Sweating Nightmares about separation Headaches Stomachaches Fatigue Panic attacks Depression Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Can lead to other anxiety disorders.
Panic Disorder: Genetics Major Stress Temperament Brain function Fear of Loss Rapid heart rate Sweating Hot flashes Nausea Headache Chest pain Dizziness Numbness Chills Development of specific phobias Avoidance of social situations Problems at work or school Depression Substance abuse Financial problem.
Specific Phobia: Negative experiences Genetics Environment Brain function Nausea Apprehension Dizziness Sweating Panic attacks Social isolation Mood disorders Substance abuse Suicide.
Understanding the Onset of Anxiety Disorders
When do anxiety disorders become apparent in individuals? Anxiety disorders normally present early in one’s lifetime, meaning the importance of working with anxiety-diagnosed individuals during their late childhood–early adolescence is essential. Individuals can develop an anxiety disorder at any stage of their life, but studies show that it is most frequently developed in a person around the age of eleven. Parents and guardians have a difficult time grasping this information, but it is vital that they are aware that anxiety has a unique presentation in children and adolescents.
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Teens
How to determine if your child has an anxiety disorder? Children and teens will start causing behavioral problems at home and school. Eventually, they will start wanting to skip school and avoid any social interaction; however, it should be noted that because a child does not want to go to school does not mean they automatically have an anxiety disorder; other things can be linked to why they are avoiding school (ex. bullying or learning difficulties). Other signs include social withdrawal, decline in school performance, and depression.
Understanding the Underlying Biology of Anxiety Disorders
Over time, specialists have gathered knowledge about the biology underlying anxiety disorders. It is common that many cases of anxiety are linked with genetics and the chemistry in one’s brain; however, anxiety can be caused by various amount of reasons. This all depends on the person and the experiences they have gone through.
Effective Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Fortunately, doctors have come up with evidence-based treatments that help individuals struggling with anxiety. These treatments include psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, exposure, and systematic desensitization.
Psychoeducation: Empowering Patients with Knowledge
When patients undergo this treatment, they meet with several doctors and specialists who provide them with extensive information about their disorder. They identify what is triggering them to feel anxious and how to overcome the feeling of panic when placed in uncomfortable situations.
Relaxation Techniques: A Practical Approach to Anxiety Control
The most common method for controlling anxiety is relaxation. This technique involves deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. After receiving information on these methods, the patient can then practice them at home or in a high-anxiety situation.
Exposures and Systematic Desensitization
This technique involves the patient facing their fears in hopes of overcoming them. It increases in exposure as they get more comfortable in each situation. Systematic desensitization is very similar, but instead of being put in a real-life anxiety situation, they have to imagine their stressor and practice using their relaxation techniques to get over the initial panic.
While many things have been uncovered about anxiety disorders, doctors and researchers are still working their very hardest to dive even deeper into this subject. Anxiety is a common disease that many americans struggle with on a daily basis. If you or someone you know is having problems dealing with anxiety, seek help. The treatments listed above are highly effective and can turn your life around in a matter of weeks.
Conclusion
In summary, we need to begin teaching and addressing anxiety disorders to pre-teens, so those who suffer from this disease can understand the severity of this topic.
