What's normal anxiety -- and what's an anxiety disorder? | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter | TED

TL;DR

Anxiety disorders are as real as diabetes and need to be treated with the same seriousness, as they can disrupt work, school, relationships, and overall well-being.

Transcript

Transcriber: We live in a culture that doesn't take mental health issues seriously. There's a lot of stigma. Some people tell you to just suck it up, or get it together, or to stop worrying, or that it's all in your head. But I'm here to tell you that anxiety disorders, they're as real as diabetes. (Music) [Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter] Hi again... Read More

Key Insights

• 💡 Mental health issues, specifically anxiety disorders, are often stigmatized and not taken seriously, leading to individuals avoiding treatment due to fear of judgment or dismissal. Mental health care accessibility is a concern, with factors such as lack of insurance coverage contributing to the problem. Anxiety is a normal emotion related to fear, but it differs in that it is a response to uncertain threats and can last longer. Anxiety is a physiological response that involves the brain's amygdala, hypothalamus, brain stem, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The fight-or-flight response is a normal part of anxiety, but for individuals with anxiety disorders, these responses are heightened and can disrupt daily life. Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and phobias, are relatively common, affecting around 16% of individuals globally. There may be differences in brain function and connectivity among those with anxiety disorders, leading to a perpetuating cycle of anxiety. Treatment options for anxiety include lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, and sleep, as well as mindfulness techniques like meditation. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication can also help manage symptoms of anxiety disorders by reshaping neural pathways and regulating overreactivity in the brain.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some common symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include constant worry, trouble sleeping, tense muscles, and difficulty concentrating.

Q: What are some barriers that prevent individuals from seeking treatment for anxiety disorders?

Barriers to seeking treatment for anxiety disorders include lack of insurance coverage, previous dismissal or minimization of symptoms, concerns about stigma affecting future jobs or relationships, and doubts about the effectiveness of seeking help.

Q: How does anxiety differ from fear?

Anxiety is a response to uncertain threats that tends to last longer, while fear is a response to immediate threats that quickly subsides.

Q: How does the brain's threat detection system contribute to anxiety?

The brain's threat detection system starts with the amygdala alerting other brain areas to be ready for defensive action. This leads to physical responses such as tense muscles, increased heart rate and blood pressure. In anxiety disorders, this system functions incorrectly, causing persistent and pervasive anxiety.

Q: What percentage of individuals currently have or have had an anxiety disorder?

Based on data from the World Mental Health Survey, researchers estimate that about 16 percent of individuals currently have or have had an anxiety disorder.

Q: How can cognitive behavioral therapy help individuals with anxiety disorders?

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals with anxiety disorders by teaching them to identify and challenge upsetting thoughts, ultimately rebuilding neural pathways that reduce the anxiety response. It is a form of talk therapy that has been shown to be effective in managing anxiety.

Q: How can medication be used to treat anxiety disorders?

Medication can provide relief for anxiety disorders both in the short-term and long-term. In the short-term, anti-anxiety drugs can down-regulate the overactive threat-detection mechanisms. Both long-term medications and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce over-reactivity of the amygdala commonly seen in anxiety disorders.

Q: Can anxiety disorders be treated or managed over time?

Yes, anxiety disorders can be treated or managed over time. Like hypertension and diabetes, they can be addressed through various approaches including therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and building new neural connections in the brain.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, are often stigmatized and not taken seriously in our culture.

• There are many barriers to receiving mental health care, such as lack of insurance coverage, fear of stigma, and past dismissals or minimizations of symptoms.

• Anxiety is a natural response to uncertain threats and is regulated by the brain's threat detection system, but for people with anxiety disorders, these systems malfunction and lead to persistent and disruptive symptoms. Treatment options include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness practices.