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Thanks
to the National Institute of Mental Health
for the following information.
ANSWERS TO QUIZ
- Anxiety
1. Which of the
following are disorders of the brain?
Answer: e. All of
the above.
Brain research demonstrates that disorders as different as stroke, anxiety
disorders, alcohol addiction, anorexia, learning disabilities, and
Alzheimer's disease all have their roots in the brain. Every American will
be affected at some point in his or her life, either personally or by a
family member's struggle, with a brain disorder.
2. Post-traumatic
stress disorder, once referred to as shell shock or battle fatigue, is a
condition that only affects war veterans.
Answer: False.
Individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or ordeal,
such as a terrorist attack, a tornado, a rape or mugging, or a car
accident, can be at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many people with this anxiety disorder repeatedly relive the trauma in the
form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. They may
also experience sleep problems, depression, feeling detached or numb, or
being easily startled.
3. Someone who
feels compelled to spend a great deal of time doing things over and over
again such as washing their hands, checking things, or counting things has
an anxiety disorder.
Answer: True.
A person plagued by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals, or
tormented by unwelcome thoughts or images, may be suffering from an
anxiety disorder called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Most healthy
people can identify with having some of the symptoms of OCD, such as
checking the stove several times before leaving the house. But the
disorder is diagnosed only when such activities consume at least an hour a
day, are very distressing, and interfere with daily life. OCD affects men
and women equally. It can appear in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood,
but on the average, it first shows up in the teens or early adulthood.
4. What is the
most common mental health problem in the United States?
Answer: c.
Anxiety Disorders.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in America.
About 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders, which
include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder.
5. Which of the
following diseases/disorders are real medical illnesses?
Answer: d. All of
the above.
Anxiety disorders, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all real medical
illnesses. Brain scientists have shown that anxiety disorders are often
related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual,
and they frequently run in families. Unfortunately, misconceptions about
mental illnesses like anxiety disorders still exist. Because many people
believe mental illness is a sign of personal weakness, the condition is
often trivialized and is left untreated. The good news is that effective
treatments are available for anxiety disorders.
6. Which of the
following are symptoms of an anxiety disorder known as panic disorder?
Answer: e. All of
the above.
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of
intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain,
heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
These sensations often mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other
life-threatening medical conditions. Left untreated, people with panic
disorder can develop so many phobias about places or situations where
panic attacks have occurred that they become housebound.
7. Anxiety
disorders often occur with other illnesses.
Answer: True.
It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating
disorders, substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders
can also co-exist with illnesses such as heart disease, high blood
pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid conditions, and migraine
headaches. In such instances, the accompanying disorders will also need to
be treated. So, it is important, before beginning any treatment, to have a
thorough medical examination to determine the causes of symptoms.
8. Most people
successfully take control of the symptoms of anxiety disorders by sheer
willpower and personal strength.
Answer: False.
Many people misunderstand anxiety disorders and other mental
illnesses and think individuals should be able to overcome the symptoms by
sheer willpower. Wishing the symptoms away does not work—but there are
treatments that can help. Treatment for anxiety disorders often involves
medication, specific forms of psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
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