WHAT IS ANXIETY AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It is a normal reaction to stressful situations however in some cases, it becomes excessive and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations.
There are a variety of anxiety disorders, each with their own signs and symptoms. Although many of the signs and symptoms overlap, individuals may experience different signs and symptoms at different levels of severity and durations. The following are some of the more common types of anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder is the most common anxiety disorder, followed by (in no particular order) Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Separation anxiety disorder.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF AN ANXIETY OR PANIC ATTACK?
Anxiety comes in many forms such as panic attacks, phobia, and social anxiety. the distinction between an official “anxiety disorder” diagnosis and “normal anxiety” isn’t always clear. However, if a person experiences any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, and it interferes with their functioning, they should consult with their doctor: excessive worry, sleep disruption, irrational fears, chronic indigestion, panic attacks, flashbacks, perfectionism, compulsive behaviors, self-doubt, self-consciousness and stage fright.
Panic attacks occur with panic disorder. They may also occur with other psychiatric disorders. During a panic attack, the symptoms are sudden and extremely intense. These symptoms usually occur unexpectedly without an obvious, immediate cause. The symptoms are usually overwhelming and become severe within 10 minutes and then dwindle. However, the duration of some attacks may last longer or may occur in sequence, making it difficult to determine when one attack ends and another begins.
A panic attack is characterized by four or more of the following symptoms:
- Heart palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- shaking/trembling
- Sensations, shortness of air, difficulty breathing, or smothering
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)
- Sense of danger or doom (i.e. fears dying)
- Numbness or tingling sensations (parenthesis)
- Chills or hot flashes
WHY ARE ATHLETES MORE AT RISK OF HAVING ANXIETY DISORDERS?
Many athletes struggle with stress and anxiety on a daily basis. Each athlete reacts to the stress and anxiety differently. Younger athletes may find it challenging to manage the stress and anxiety that comes along with a full class load, while trying to balance that with the demands of their sport, as well as the pressures of their family and friends. They should be encouraged to seek help from their school’s counseling center, to manage and limit their stress and anxiety.
Professional athletes also struggle with stress and anxiety. It is challenging to face the pressure to perform within their sport; they can be impacted by intense public scrutiny; they compete in a culture that inhibits them from seeking the help they need.
One of my patients who is a professional athlete and has severe anxiety said that their coach told them to “take it out on the court/field” “Be strong/tough,” which are FALSE mentalities and the WORST ways to manage their mental health issues.
It is important for the athlete’s coaches and trainers to be educated on the difference between “normal anxiety” and an “anxiety disorder” and recognize the signs and symptoms of the latter. Equally important, it is recommended that coaches and trainers encourage their athletes to seek help.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE ATHLETES WHO HAVE SPOKEN PUBLICLY ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES?
- NBA legend Jerry West has struggled for decades with depression and low self-esteem.
- New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall calls mental health awareness and acceptance “the civil rights movement of our era.” He was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in 2011
- Kevin Love (NBA)-Panic attacks
- Serena Williams (American Tennis Player and Medalist)- Anxiety
- Arian Foster (NFL)-Panic Attacks
- Simone Biles (Olympian Gymnast and medalist)-ADHD
- Michael Gatlin (Olympian Track star and medalist)- ADHD
- Michael Phelps (Olympian Swimmer and medalist)-Severe depression; contemplated suicide
- Royce White (MLB)-Anxiety and obsessive thoughts
- Imani Boyette (WNBA)-severe depression and self-harm behaviors
- Mardy Fish (American Tennis Player)- Severe anxiety disorder with panic attacks
- Rick Ankiel (MLB)-Severe Anxiety
- Brandon Brooks (NFL)-severe anxiety
- Allison Schmitt (Olympian Swimmer)- depression
- Chamique Holdsclaw (WNBA player) – bipolar disorder
WHY IS MENTAL ILLNESS SO TABOO IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY?
- A: African-Americans are disproportionately more likely to experience circumstances that increase the chances of having a mental illness (poverty, unemployment rate, crime, cultural insensitivity from providers)
- Only 20% more likely to have psychological distress vs non-Hispanic whites
- Young African-American Adults with higher levels of education are LESS likely to seek help
Some reasons that prevent African-Americans from seeking treatment and receiving quality mental health care include:
- Cultural competence (providers insensitive to the African-American experience, especially doctors of a different ethnic background.)
- Mistrust of authorities –Exclusion from receiving good service/care (i.e. slavery, sharecropping, exclusion from health, educational, social and economic resources)
- Sign of weakness to receive help-Some African-Americans have normalized their own suffering
- Lack access/insurance coverage
- In denial (some admit to seeking services but not ok to acknowledging they have a problem)
- Perception: fear of being labeled, “crazy”
- Fear of medicine and its effects on the brain/body
- Not being educated by providers about management of the LIFESTYLE for having anxiety
- Praying alone may not help
HOW DID YOUR FAMILY REACT TO YOUR DIAGNOSIS?
My family was supportive of my diagnosis and continues to be supportive of my continued management. I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 33. I had no idea ADHD stippled my ability to perform at my best. While in medical school, I failed my medical board exams 5 times over a 6-year period and when I sought help at that time, performance anxiety (due to test-taking anxiety) was diagnosed.
I was not evaluated for ADHD because I did not present with the classic ADHD symptoms and my grades did not reflect any concerns. It was not until my final year of my child psychiatry fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine that one of my mentors suggested that I be evaluated for ADHD. Initially, I denied the diagnosis due to my lack of understanding that ADHD can present differently, especially in girls versus boys.
HOW DO YOU CONVINCE SOMEONE THAT NEEDS HELP TO GET HELP AND TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE?
- Let them know that there is an important conversation that you need to have with them.
- Approach them with empathy and non-judgement. Consider saying “I know this is really hard for you, but I’m talking to you because I love you. If I didn’t care, we wouldn’t be having this talk.”
- Be prepared for resistance. Try not to be defensive.
- Refrain from using words like “crazy” or “abnormal.”
- Use “I” statements, such as “I am concerned about you.” Avoid “you” statements.
- Leverage your help. Phrase your concern in a way that you are asking them to seek help to help others. i.e. “This would be the best thing you could do for your child. Please do it for him. He needs for you to receive proper help more help than I or any of our family members know how to provide.”
- Help locate a mental health professional and schedule an appointment on their behalf. Offer to attend at least the first appointment with them. Regardless if they go or not, go and discuss your concerns with the professional. There have been successes with a loved one eventually receiving the help they need after a family member or friend attended the first appointment.
- If possible, offer to pay for the appointment if given the excuse that it costs too much
Dr. Brown answers your ‘Text Tom’ questions on the next page.
