What psychologically will cause a person to worry needlessly?

Question

A-co worker of mine periodically has this "impending doom" (panic attacks)for no reason. Sometimes the things she worries so much about do happen, but mostly not.
How can she help herself??

Answer 1

Probably some anxiety and maybe some obsessive complusive disorder (OCD). Here's some info on anxiety disorders and OCD.

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent group of psychiatric disorders in the United States. Approximately 27 million Americans--nearly 15 percent of the population--will suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Anxiety disorders are most often characterized as having an element of fearfulness involved. According to Dr. Steve Dager, University of Washington associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Harborview Medical Center, these disorders come about as a kind of impairment or over-reactivity of the normal "flight or fight" response.

Although these disorders are amenable to treatment, the majority of sufferers don't receive appropriate care. Most often, people with anxiety disorders will seek relief from the physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, respiratory distress or nausea, and may not be aware or may not want to admit that there are emotional causes for the symptoms.

"People worry about being labeled 'crackpots' if they admit to overwhelming anxiety or fear," says Dager. "But there is evidence that these symptoms are the result of healthy coping mechanisms gone awry. And worrying about them tends to exaggerate their effects."

There are several different types of anxiety disorders. The most common are:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), exaggerated tension without apparent cause, can be debilitating but doesn't usually cause people to avoid certain situations. People with GAD often seem unable to relax or fall asleep and may experience lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability, or sweating.

Panic Disorder (PD) causes people to feel terror suddenly and unpredictably. PD can become disabling when people avoid situations they fear may bring on an attack. Panic attack symptoms include rapid pulse, chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, numbness, trembling, and a fear of going crazy or dying. Depression or alcoholism often accompanies PD. Panic disorder is probably the best studied and understood of the anxiety disorders.

Agoraphobia, the most disabling anxiety disorder, is diagnosed when panic attacks cause people to increasingly refrain from normal activities. As such people avoid situations where they fear an attack may occur -- in crowds and stores and on bridges and public transportation -- they become so restricted, they may not leave their homes.

Social Phobia (SP), an intense fear of humiliation in social settings, may cause sufferers to avoid parties, public speaking, eating out, or even signing a check in public. Unlike shyness, those with SP can feel at ease around others, yet particular situations, like walking down an aisle, cause intense anxiety. SP disrupts relationships and careers as sufferers avoid certain situations.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by rituals, such as washing hands or checking things repeatedly (compulsions), or persistent, unwelcome thoughts, such as fears of committing violent acts, of performing sexual acts repugnant to the person, or of thoughts contrary to the person's religious beliefs (obsessions). Compulsive activities consume an hour or more each day and interfere with daily life.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result after a terrifying event, causing sufferers frightening thoughts and memories. Anniversaries of the incident can be difficult and ordinary events can trigger flashbacks or intrusive images. Sufferers may become easily irritated or have violent outbursts. Depression, substance abuse, or anxiety may accompany PTSD.
If
you feel that your life is being ruled by anxiety and fear, and that your symptoms are having an impact on your relationships and daily life, you can find help. There's no need to live in fear.

Anxiety disorders are usually treated with a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Treatment is usually individualized for each patient, depending on the severity of the symptoms and level of function. Common medications for anxiety disorders include selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, such as Prozac; tricyclic antidepressants; benzodiazepines or monamine oxidase inhibitors.

Answer 2

I was told by a doctor that I had GAD.
Some symptoms were the "impending doom" thing, worrying constantly, and sometimes a sudden dizzy spell. It got bad enough to where I thought I was having strokes or heart attacks. My skin would feel a temperature change or something and start to tingle or my arm hair would raise, and I would immediately think that somehow it was a stroke. The slightest discomfort in my shoulder or chest would immediatley be interpreted as the beginnings of a heart attack.

Of course, the doctor wanted to prescribe some sort of drugs. There's a pill for everything these days. I opted for the herbal route. I do *not* recommend what the doctor will: Valerian root or St John's Wort. I got the wierdest nightmares and an odd sensation in my head after taking those, which left after I stopped.

Eventually, I made a connection between my panic attacks and sugar. Especially chocolate. Have your friend stop eating candy, doughnuts, chocolate in any form, or anything else that has a lot of processed sugar. Oh yeah, and caffeine, too. Stay away from that. No coffee, tea, caffenated soft drinks, or again: chocolate.

It may be hard to do, but I would go for a couple weeks without symptoms.. then break down and eat a couple maple doughnuts or a dish of ice cream and whammo, I'd be panicky within a day or two. When I was finally religious about staying away from sweets, the symptoms receded and went away. During this time I practiced not panicking when one of the physical symptoms appeared. Sort of a manual biofeedback process to control feelings of panic. Breathing easily, relaxing muscles, thinking of pleasant things.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/

Answer 4

i would say paranoia, i worry all the time like when my parents or family members are gone even five minutes longer then they said, i start to go through all these horrible things that must have happened. the point is you cant waste you time worrying or you wont have time to live your life

Answer 5

She needs professional therapy.