Ben Gordon Center – Providing Direction in Life
Let’s Talk About It Question : I was recently diagnosed with having an Anxiety Disorder. I’m very grateful to now understand my illness and get it under control. As I look back, I always felt as if something wasn’t right, I had difficulty in my teens and young adult life, I was afraid to get any help because of what I thought others would say. I know now that this is not an issue. Is this common?
You are right on track. In fact, a recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that about half of adults with an anxiety disorder had symptoms of some type of psychiatric illness by age 15. The authors found that in many cases the specific symptoms and behaviors diagnosed in teens and children gave clues as to what kinds of anxiety disorders — there are several — the youth would have as adults.
This study illustrates the point that early intervention, diagnosis and prevention of anxiety disorders is very important. Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses, with 28.8 percent of American adults diagnosed with one or more at some point in life. They include social and other phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In this study, published in the February issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, examined the psychiatric histories of 9,632 adults, from ages 11 through 32. Of the 232 adults with anxiety disorders, the most common childhood psychiatric illnesses — one-third of them — were anxiety disorders, followed by depression.
We also learn that there are links between some disorders diagnosed in adulthood and those diagnosed during youth. The authors point out those adults with PTSD had histories of extreme defiance and conduct disorders in childhood. Adults with obsessive-compulsive disorders tended to have had delusional beliefs and hallucinations as children. Phobias in adulthood tended to be linked to specific phobias that occurred during childhood.
One of the biggest barriers to getting any type of help is the stigma associated with mental health care. You are to be congratulated for seeking help for your illness. We take care of our selves physically, so why is seeking help for behavioral health a concern?
Getting help for an anxiety disorder or any mental health of substance abuse concern is not a sign of personal weakness. Many of our neighbors, friends or family members have or have had a diagnosable mental illness. The important thing to remember that mental illnesses are just that, an illness and should be treated by a professional. With the appropriate care, people can and do recover.
Michael Flora, MBA, M.A. Ed., LCPC, LSW, is President/CEO of Ben Gordon Center, DeKalb County’s comprehensive counseling center for children, teens, adults and families.
If you would like to ask a question for future Let’s Talk About It articles, send in an email to info@bengordoncenter.org
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