ANXIETY DISORDERS (PART 2)

v  Specific Phobias

A specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. Some of the more common specific phobias are centered on closed-in places, heights, escalators, tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, dogs, and injuries involving blood. Such phobias aren’t just extreme fear; they are irrational fear of a particular thing. While adults with phobias realize that these fears are irrational, they often find that facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared object or situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.

v  Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months. People with GAD can’t seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.



Treatment of anxiety disorders
The World Health Organization (WHO), recommends that anxiety disorders in children can be managed through school based interventions whereby, primary or secondary school pupils indulge in curricular activities or different school-based interventions in which non-specialized health care facilities encourage and collaborate with school-based life skills education, to promote mental health in children and adolescents. 

Some of the expected outcomes include:

• reduction in risk behavior
• change in knowledge
• decision-making
• self-esteem
• Peer pressure resistance.

In adults, treatment of anxiety can be done through relaxation training. In non-specialized health care settings, relaxation training should be considered as treatment for anxiety symptoms (in absence of depressive episode/disorder).

Expected Outcome(s) may include:

• symptom reduction
  
  

 
Where to seek help in Kenya

The following are some of the areas where one can seek treatment or further information on anxiety disorders as well as any other mental health illnesses:

ü  Treatment for mental disorders is available at all district hospitals in the country.

ü  In Nairobi, treatment can also be sought from the Ngong health centre, Lower kabete health centre, Woodley trauma clinic as well as Kangemi health centre