Anticipatory Anxiety Disorder
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Identification
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A person who continually worries about an upcoming event or task (or the future in general) is experiencing a symptom of anticipatory anxiety disorder; it is not uncommon for these feelings of dread to be accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, shortness of breath or any number of physical symptoms. Public speaking, going to work, being in a crowd or even simple tasks like going to the store are all potential situations where feelings of anxiety can take hold. Anticipatory anxiety plays a role within a number of anxiety disorders, some of which include social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety and panic disorders.
Function
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There are a number of possible reasons why a person may dread an upcoming event: fear of embarrassment, ridicule or failure are all possible causes. Prolonged fear will eventually surface in the form of anxiety; in fact, this is the root of anticipatory anxiety disorder. As the mind replays a scene over and over again, the negative thinking pattern fuels the condition. Oftentimes, the constant, negative imagining of a future scenario actually causes the anticipatory fear to happen; for example, a person could be so concerned about mispronouncing an important guest's name, that, when the time for an introduction comes, the person actually mispronounces it. This scenario is called a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Features
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In 1988, an article from Science Magazine written by psychologists J. S. Resnick, J. Kagan and N. Snidman linked social phobias with past childhood experiences that originated from shyness and social inhibition. Learned reactions and patterns of thinking, while tolerable through the years, can have a cumulative effect over time; what were once passing waves of nervousness can become ongoing feelings of tension and unease. Everyday life stressors work to intensify these feelings to the point where actual panic attacks are possible.
Coping Mechanisms
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As with many other psychological conditions, anticipatory anxiety disorder is one of many ways that people learn to cope with psychological stress in their everyday lives. The intensity of the stress, cultural norms and the personality of the individual determine the type of coping mechanism used. Self-medication with drugs or alcohol, depression, aches and pains, and psychosis are all coping mechanisms for worry and fear. Ultimately, anxiety is the mind's way of protecting the individual from a perceived, potential harm. The longer a person continues to be fearful, the more sensitive he becomes to perceived threats.
Treatment Options
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Anticipatory anxiety disorder is a treatable condition, and psychotherapy is shown to be an effective method. In some cases, medication and psychotherapy are both necessary, depending on the severity of the person's symptoms. As this disorder is caused by negative thinking patterns, psychotherapy helps individuals restructure their thinking processes along more healthy, productive lines. In cases where medication alleviates physical or emotional symptoms, the elimination of anxiety allows the person to better understand and incorporate new thinking and behavior patterns into their daily life.
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