o is d ty The Canadian Mental Health ie x Phobias n in Association (CMHA) is a nation-wide, a t s c a fe f charitable organization that promotes and Panic n a w , o s w the mental health of all and supports n m t k le o s b n the resilience and recovery of people Disorders e o s r re l s p a u experiencing mental illness. For more e h s d n lt r n ill a e -i l e d lf information about the CMHA and our a h r e t l o s t n a is , n services, please go to www.cmha.ca e t d k e m n y a f e t e m o m ie w f f x “ o p o n p u a s u e ro e , a o p g p ic d r ty ty t e g a is d a n n n t r o i o ta a in m t d s g s e m re d m g d m g e o in lu o in n d c tl c c tl te lu t r n t r f c s ta o i s ta o in o s e o s e m re r m r re is a a is a a e h s e h s th t s r h t n rs f n e t f o e g o io re rd g o ti d n e it a o n e i r o t d s o it d o i n rs i p n is m p o e d m s o a s c c a c d e n rd i e In e ic r I e o o n r . s n a . s is a a s e a s s e m p s n h p r n h d a d r a t e ia t ic n e i d d d g n re a d d g n r a n a a r a in a o n i s s o n c s is a c p rs n ia is a n a d C n d e ia b d C e i ie n d d o ri b ty n r a r a ty n e o e e e o n h te p h i t p s s a P ie x P x y x ia i e x ry e n r e b d C n e . A e e o y n e A v e ” . v s h t e s e s d rs e o P ie t o f o e e f h . x y th o th in d o t ” n r l r t d d A e d h d ip o u n e . v n P n c is o a n s e a . a is d e , li r f , ” d n d ip e o d d n ty o c rd t o e u o s o u o n ie g to i s o t li s x n s d i rs ip i n ti r n d e e c d a c e u y n d s y www.cmha.ca e d r t o n i t ff n o ie g u d ie a u t x in ll n x i ll n wwwn.cmha.ca t e u n t e e a c r a c w lg s e w o s fe u a ff t t a f d a o n a n n , n e n , i w s e lg w s e m r u m

PHOBIAS AND PANIC DISORDERS When fear overwhelms your life

Fear is a natural part of our lives; it is an What are Phobias instinctive human reaction that protects us from danger. However, when fear becomes a and Panic Disorders? dominating force, overwhelming our ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may be the result of a phobia or panic disorder. Even though Phobias and panic disorders are people who are having a panic attack know that their reaction is disproportionate or even unrelated included in a group of mental illnesses to a situation, they cannot stop the terror that paralyzes them. known as anxiety disorders. Anxiety Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, people with these disorders are often called disorders are among the most common “overreacting or hysterical” by others . Coupled with their own feelings of embarrassment and type of mental health problems, guilt, these individuals often do not seek help for a condition that is treatable. affecting one out of every ten Symptoms Canadians. In spite of this startling e physical symptoms of phobias and panic attacks include: statistic, anxiety disorders are not well I Racing pulse, heart palpitations, possibly even chest pain understood, and those experiencing I Shortness of breath, panting, dry mouth I Blushing these conditions are often regarded as I Nausea and/or vomiting I Trembling, shaking, muscle tension “weak, self-indulgent or undisciplined”. I Dizziness I Hot flashes and sweating, or chills I For an overview of anxiety disorders, please see Difficulties with sleep I the Canadian Mental Health Association pamphlet, Inability to concentrate “Understanding Anxiety Disorders” available at e symptoms can be so overwhelming that the www.cmha.ca person may believe that they are going to die. In fact, it is not unusual for these individuals to

1 2 PHOBIAS AND PANIC DISORDERS When fear overwhelms your life

end up in the hospital emergency department overwhelming, irrational fear of “things,” such as numerous times, convinced that they are having a objects, situations or animals. heart attack. It is believed that phobias develop from events or people that influenced the person in their Panic Disorders developmental years. A history of family break-up, Panic attacks may be totally unpredictable, last ten parental aversion to socializing, another influential to thirty minutes and are unrelated to any specific adult’s phobias or a traumatic event can be linked “trigger.” ey can strike at any time, in any place to phobia in a young person. and cause incredible, overwhelming fear. In fact, Generally there are two different categories the fear generated by a panic attack can be so of phobias: intense, it actually causes people to become anxious about the possibility of future attacks; this Specific Phobia is called a panic disorder. Panic disorders cause so much anxiety for people, they avoid any situation As the name suggests, people with this type of where they might have a panic attack, and are phobia are terrified of something very specific. terrified to leave their homes (agoraphobia). Examples include fear of heights, flying, certain animals or insects, water (hydrophobia), Panic disorders affect approximately two million weather conditions (such as thunder and Canadians. Statistics show that of the people lightning), public transportation, needles, seeking treatment, two-thirds of them are women. tunnels, bridges and open spaces. ere are e disorders often first appear in teenagers and many other examples of specific phobias, each as young adults. unique as the individual who experiences them. e cause of panic disorders is not known, however Social Phobia it is believed that genetics (a family history), stress and biological changes in the brain contribute to Social situations provoke tremendous fear and the illness. In addition, traumatic life events such self-consciousness for those with a social as the death or serious illness of a loved one, an phobia; included in this category is the fear of accident or rape, childhood abuse or even happy performing in public. To avoid the feelings of events such as the birth of a child, can increase terror and humiliation, or the potential of the risk of developing panic disorders. having a panic attack in public, those with a social phobia will go to great lengths to avoid Phobias being in any situation where they will be surrounded by other people. Unlike panic disorders, phobias have “triggers” that are identifiable. People with phobias have an

3 4 PHOBIAS AND PANIC DISORDERS When fear overwhelms your life

Treatment seek emotional relief from substances, they often increase your anxiety and can trigger If you, or someone you care about, show the panic attacks; symptoms of a phobia or panic disorder, the first thing you need to do is talk with your family I Exercise: Get active and stay active. doctor. An initial medical examination should be Physical activity has been proven to done, to rule out any underlying physical causes improve mood and a sense of calm; for the symptoms. For example, anemia and I Stress management: Find a course on stress thyroid problems mimic the symptoms of anxiety. management and seek ways to reduce your stressors and your perception of them; If your family doctor identifies a phobia or panic I disorder, there are a number of different treatments Try meditation and other activities available to help you. Psychotherapy, relaxation that calm the mind: Sitting or moving and breathing techniques, and medication have meditations such as tai chi and yoga are proven to be very effective. If you have a phobia, beneficial to calming the mind; behaviour therapy could also be recommended, to I Get a good night’s sleep: You need sufficient help you become desensitized to the “thing” that sleep to help you feel good the next day, so causes your fear. be sure to get enough rest at night.

Lifestyle Choices Community Organizations You need to be an active member of your mental Organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health health team. Take a proactive role in your well- Association (CMHA) and other community being and make lifestyle choices that are mindful mental health agencies offer services, information and healthy. and support to people affected by mental illness. Do: To contact the Canadian Mental Health Association, go to www.cmha.ca and find a I Join a support group if your community branch close to you. has one: It is important for you to network with others who are looking for solutions Don’t let fear overwhelm your life. We can help to their illness and coping strategies for you manage your phobias or panic disorder. Pick their disorders; up the phone and call us before another day of fear threatens to control your life. I Eat a healthy diet: A well-balanced, nutritious diet is important for overall health; I Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages and illegal drugs: While it is tempting to

5 6