Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia 

What are the causes of panic disorder with agoraphobia? 

Over the last several years, many scientific theories have been developed to uncover the causes of this condition.

Psychological theories emphasize the connection between the perception of danger and the physical sensations experienced during a panic attack. And current medical research on the effectiveness of certain medications have helped to expand the many theories involving specific chemical substances implicated in brain functioning i.e. the existence of a bilogical predisposition and an imbalance in the levels of noradrenaline, serotonin and/or a substance called GABA.

Still, the latest research from Canada confirms that panic disorder is caused by a gene. It was while studying a substance known as CKK-4 that the gene was discovered. Injection of this substance immediately induced a panic attack in 100% of the persons with panic disorder while an injection of a neutral substance brought on an attack in only 9% of them.

What are the treatments for panic disorder with agoraphobia?

The great majority of individuals suffering from panic disorder can be helped with cognitive-behavioural therapy and/or medication, relaxation and breathing techniques and progressive desensitization.

Social Anxiety and Social Phobia

What are the causes of social phobia?

The exact cause of social phobia is not yet known. There is no specific anomaly that has been found to explain the origin of this condition. Some scientists believe that the cycle of phobic avoidance in people suffering from social phobia is triggered by past traumatic events. These individuals are perfectionists, develop poor self-esteem and place too much importance on the opinions of other people. As a result, they avoid any social situations that would make them feel anxious.

Conversely, others believe that a chemical imbalance is responsible for the condition. Researchers observed that the various substances involved in the transmission of chemical signals in the brain play a part in the anxious reactions of individuals with social phobia, notably serotonin, GABA and dopamine.Certain regions of the brain where these neurotransmitters are concentrated appear to respond differently in people with social phobias.

Be that as it may, some experts favour other factors such as temperament and the occurence of stressful events.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What are the causes of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

The origin of GAD is still unknown. But, like the other anxiety disorders researchers agree that people suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are genetically predisposed to have stronger emotional reactions to life events. The incidence of stressful events in the past and an anxious family environment are factors that play a part in the development of this condition.

What are the treatments for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Types of therapies known as cognitive-behavioural are used to treat GAD:

• Behavioural therapy, whose aim is to change undesirable behaviours that maintain anxiety and replace them with healthier ones.

• Cognitive therapy's goal is to lower anxiety by helping the person view anxiety-producing situations in a more realistic way.

Medication is effective in decreasing the symptoms of anxiety. It is used as a springboard to psychological treatment.

Anxiety Disorders and Depression: Comorbidity

What is comorbidity?

Comorbidity is when a patient's symptoms and difficulties are manifestations of two or more health problems. For instance, a person may suffer from panic disorder as well as major depression.

 How common is it?

56% of persons suffering from a mental health condition have had another condition at least one time in their lifetime. Some people can have three or more coexisting disorders. The occurence of comorbidity is so common that an anxiety disorder is thought to have originated from depression. In addition to other anxiety disorders. So, more than 70% of those suffering from an anxiety disorder may show signs of a comorbid condition.

With anxiety disorders, the presence of comorbidity at one time or another seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Those normally found to be so-called secondary conditions are social phobia (33% of the time) and specific phobia (33% of the time). 45% of anxiety disorder sufferers also experience depression at some time in their lives.

Moreover, studies show that the rate of comorbidity in people suffering from alcoholism and anxiety disorder exceeds 30%, especially in the cases of agoraphobia and social phobia.

Therefore, it is important that your mental health professional make a complete medical assessment that includes all symptoms that impair stability and functioning.

What does the treatment involve?

Medication specifically adapted to the patient accompanied by cognitive-behavioural therapy will treat the principal anxiety disorder along with the comorbid condition.