Anxiety Disorders: Emotional Disabilities And Their Impact

Anxiety is a common mental health issue that can affect people of all ages, and in children, it can manifest as a number of emotional disturbances, including excessive fear, abnormal mood swings, and an inability to build or maintain relationships with peers. When it comes to special education, the term emotional disturbance is associated with mental health issues or severe behavioral problems that hinder a child's educational performance. This includes children with anxiety disorders, who may experience difficulties in learning, social interactions, and adapting to various situations or environments. These emotional disturbances can have a significant impact on a child's daily life and may require special education services to address their individual needs.

Anxiety as a disability in children

Anxiety is a natural reaction to new or challenging situations. It can be a feeling of worry, apprehension or dread that something bad is going to happen or that one can't cope with a situation. It can manifest as physical reactions like 'butterflies in the stomach', tension, shakiness, nausea, and sweating. It can also manifest as behaviours such as avoidance or seeking reassurance.

Anxiety can be particularly challenging for children with disabilities or chronic conditions. These children are more likely to experience anxiety than their peers. This may be because their condition is unpredictable or significantly affects their daily lives, they experience bullying, they feel different from their peers, or they have learning difficulties. Children with disabilities or chronic conditions might worry about medical procedures, missing out on events, coping with their condition or treatments, being a burden on their families, or getting sicker.

When anxiety is severe and long-lasting, it might be an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders usually respond very well to professional treatment, and the earlier they are treated, the less likely they are to affect children's long-term mental health and development. If a child's anxiety is so severe that it prevents them from communicating appropriately, functioning socially, taking care of themselves, or finishing tasks, they may be able to get disability benefits.

There are many practical things that can be done to help children with disabilities or chronic conditions manage their anxiety. This includes acknowledging their fears, gently encouraging them to do things they feel anxious about, and praising them when they try to face their fears. It is also important to give them developmentally appropriate information about their condition or disability, and to give them more information as they get older. Without accurate information, children often imagine the worst. It can also be helpful to give them choices, as this gives them a sense of control.

Additionally, it is important to create a supportive environment for children with disabilities or chronic conditions who experience anxiety. This may include peer support networks, helping them keep up with schoolwork and friends, and supporting their friendships. It is also crucial to help them learn how to manage their emotions and let them know it's okay to feel frustrated or angry. Modelling healthy ways of managing anxiety can also be beneficial, as it shows them that anxiety itself isn't bad, but it becomes a problem when it stops us from doing what we want to do.

Anxiety's impact on daily life

Anxiety can be a debilitating condition that significantly impacts a person's daily life. It can affect a person's ability to maintain employment, perform well in school, and carry out everyday tasks and chores. Here are some ways that anxiety can impact a person's daily life:

Impact on Work and Education

Anxiety can make it difficult for individuals to maintain employment. The stress and pressure associated with work can trigger anxiety, leading to decreased productivity and difficulty carrying out job responsibilities. It can also affect a person's ability to interact with colleagues and clients, attend work consistently, and adapt to changes in the work environment.

Similarly, students experiencing anxiety may struggle with their academic performance. They may find it challenging to concentrate on their studies, attend classes regularly, and interact effectively with peers and teachers. Anxiety can also impact a student's ability to retain information, complete assignments, and perform well on exams, potentially leading to lower grades and educational attainment.

Social and Interpersonal Relationships

Anxiety can make it challenging for individuals to build and maintain healthy social and interpersonal relationships. They may avoid social situations, experience difficulty initiating or sustaining conversations, and feel uncomfortable in group settings. This can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and a sense of disconnection from others.

Physical Health and Well-being

Anxiety can also manifest physically and impact an individual's overall health and well-being. It can cause a range of physical symptoms, including increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. These physical effects can further impact a person's ability to function in their daily life, engage in physical activities, and maintain their overall health.

Emotional and Psychological Well-being

Anxiety can affect a person's emotional and psychological state, leading to a pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression. It can contribute to negative thinking patterns, low self-esteem, and difficulty coping with stress. In some cases, anxiety can be accompanied by feelings of overwhelm, irritability, or a sense of dread.

Daily Tasks and Activities

Anxiety can make it challenging for individuals to carry out everyday tasks and activities. They may struggle with decision-making, time management, and completing household chores. Anxiety can also impact a person's motivation and energy levels, leading to procrastination or difficulty initiating and completing tasks.

In summary, anxiety can have far-reaching consequences on various aspects of a person's life, including their work, education, social relationships, physical health, and emotional well-being. It is important to recognize the impact of anxiety and seek appropriate support and treatment to manage the condition effectively.

Anxiety and its effect on employment

Anxiety can have a significant impact on a person's employment, affecting their performance, quality of work, and relationships with colleagues and supervisors. For those with diagnosed anxiety disorders, these challenges may be even more pronounced.

People with anxiety disorders may turn down promotions or opportunities that involve travel or public speaking. They may also avoid social events or meetings with coworkers and struggle to meet deadlines. In a national survey, people with anxiety disorders cited various situations as particularly difficult, including dealing with problems, setting and meeting deadlines, maintaining personal relationships, managing staff, participating in meetings, and making presentations.

Anxiety can also interfere with a person's ability to maintain employment. It can affect their capacity to understand or follow instructions, interact with others, concentrate on tasks, and adapt to different situations or environments. These difficulties can impact their job performance and long-term career prospects.

However, it is important to note that having an anxiety disorder does not mean a person cannot be successful in their career. There are strategies that can help manage anxiety in the workplace, such as practicing time management, planning and preparing in advance, setting realistic deadlines, using neutral and calming language, improving communication, and seeking professional help.

Additionally, choosing a career path that aligns with one's strengths and interests can be beneficial. For individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), this may include careers that are mentally engaging, provide separation from anxiety triggers, and allow them to gather information or investigate problems. Examples of such careers include private investigator, fitness trainer, counselor/psychologist, massage therapist, professor/researcher, teacher, tradesmen (e.g., plumber, mechanic), wine sommelier, and designer/engineer.

It is also important to manage anxiety through medication and/or therapy, as this can help individuals with GAD cope with stress and anxiety in the workplace.

Anxiety as a symptom of other conditions

Anxiety is a symptom of several other conditions, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Acute stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Eating disorders
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Selective mutism

While these conditions are distinct from generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, they often share features with anxiety disorders. For example, PTSD and acute stress disorder may involve intense feelings of anxiety and fear. OCD involves recurrent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours that can be driven by anxiety. Bipolar disorder can cause dramatic mood swings, with periods of irritability and sadness that may be accompanied by anxiety. Conduct disorder can manifest as aggressive behaviour and rule-breaking, but it can also involve anxiety and difficulty controlling impulses. Eating disorders are associated with extreme eating behaviours and anxiety about body weight or shape. Separation anxiety disorder involves excessive anxiety when separated from loved ones, and selective mutism is characterised by a failure to speak in certain social situations due to fear or anxiety.

Anxiety can also be a symptom of physical health conditions, such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmia. Additionally, certain substances like caffeine, medications, and illicit drugs can produce or aggravate anxiety symptoms.

Treatment options for anxiety

Anxiety disorders can affect a person's ability to work, study, and participate in other activities. However, recovery is possible with the right treatment. Here are some treatment options for anxiety:

Learning About Anxiety

Understanding anxiety is crucial to managing it. Educating oneself about the physiology of the 'flight-or-fight' response, which is the body's natural reaction to impending danger, can help individuals with anxiety disorders recognize when this response is triggered inappropriately by harmless situations. This knowledge can promote control over symptoms and empower individuals to manage their anxiety effectively.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness practices guide individuals to focus on the present moment and detach from unhelpful or anxiety-provoking thoughts. It is a valuable tool that is gaining popularity for its ability to benefit individuals struggling with a range of issues, including anxiety. There are numerous resources available to support the development of a mindfulness practice.

Relaxation Techniques

For individuals who experience constant anxiety, learning how to release muscle tension through relaxation techniques can be beneficial. Progressive muscle relaxation and isometric relaxation exercises can help reduce physical tension and promote a sense of calm.

Correct Breathing Techniques

Anxiety can be triggered by hyperventilation, which alters oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Learning diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing, can help regulate the body's reaction to anxiety and panic. Abdominal breathing ensures that the abdomen expands during inhalation, allowing for proper breathing and slower respiration, which is beneficial when feeling anxious.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and modifying thought patterns, beliefs, and negative self-talk that trigger or exacerbate anxiety. It involves strategies such as rational self-talk, reality testing, attention training, cognitive challenging, and cognitive restructuring. By challenging unhelpful thoughts and fears and testing the reality of negative thoughts, individuals can develop more realistic and positive beliefs.

Exposure Therapy

A key component of behaviour therapy, exposure therapy involves gradually confronting fears in a safe environment to desensitize oneself and reduce anxiety responses. Individuals are guided to face their fears in a step-by-step manner, starting with less threatening situations, and learning to manage their anxiety using relaxation and breathing techniques. This approach helps individuals develop a more positive perspective on feared situations and build confidence in their ability to cope.

Medication

While medication cannot cure anxiety disorders, it can help improve symptoms and enhance functioning. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers are commonly prescribed to address anxiety. Antidepressants, including SSRIs and SNRIs, work by adjusting the brain's use of certain chemicals to improve mood and reduce stress. Benzodiazepines act quickly to decrease anxiety, panic, and worry but come with the risk of tolerance and addiction. Beta-blockers specifically target the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, shaking, and trembling. It is important to work closely with a healthcare provider to find the right medication combination and dosage and to monitor for any negative side effects.

Support Groups and Community Support

Support groups provide a safe and comforting environment for individuals with anxiety to connect with others who share similar experiences. They offer opportunities for individuals to give and receive support, learn more about anxiety, and develop social networks. Additionally, community support organizations and counselling services can provide valuable assistance in coping with anxiety and improving self-esteem.

Frequently asked questions