About Anxiety

General Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Symptoms

Depression and anxiety are commonly experienced together in those suffering workplace bullying, although some may suffer one or the other in isolation. Anxiety itself is normal and when faced with stress or danger, it helps activates the flight-or-flight mechanism in us. It can become a problem when it becomes excessive, chronic and persistently interferes with your normal daily functioning. There are different types of anxiety disorders, the most common suffered by victims are covered.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is excessive anxiety and worry that is hard to control, lasts more than 6 months and on more days than not during that time. The issues will concern events or activities like work and work performance. There should be 3 or more of these symptoms of anxiety and worry. For GAD, the anxiety and worry should not be substance related, occur exclusively during PTSD, a mood disorder (see the Depression page) or a psychotic disorder or related to gaining weight in Anorexia Nervosa.

Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is a common problem due to the experiences victims go through - a public humiliation, severe embarrassment, or other stressful experience can be the cause. The symptoms rarely go away without treatment and specific anti-depressant treatment and therapy is usually needed. Classes of medication with success in dealing with social phobia are tricyclics or MAOI's, the use of beta-blockers may also be helpful. Therapies such as psychotherapy, CBT or EMDR may be considered.

Panic Disorder, with or without Agoraphobia, is a recurrence of unexpected panic attacks where intense fear and discomfort is felt. Four or more of these symptoms must be present, develop abruptly and peak within 10 minutes. For Panic Disorder, the panic attacks and avoidance must not be substance related or accounted for by another diagnosis such as Social Phobia or PTSD.

Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia is when the panic attacks happen when thinking about or being in places or situations, such as leaving the house alone or a workplace. If the avoidance is limited to specific situations, then a Specific Phobia may be more appropriate, or if limited to social situations then Social Phobia may be more appropriate. Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia is obviously panic attacks unrelated to places or situations.

Whilst Acute Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are classed as anxiety disorders, their causation is in trauma and so will be dealt with in that page.

As everyone suffers more, less or differently to others, it would not be appropriate to comment on or infer any particular diagnosis, so individual symptoms caused by bullying will be discussed in isolation from the possible range of diagnoses that may be made by a medical professional.

If this area interests you, you may wish to subscribe to Bully News Now, which includes all the latest health news.