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 SOCIAL
PHOBIA
It is an anxiety
disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive
self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with
social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of
being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or
humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe
that it interferes with work, school, or other activities. While
many people with social phobia recognize that their fear of
being around people may be excessive or unreasonable, they are
unable to overcome it. They often worry for days or weeks in
advance of a dreaded situation. In addition, they often
experience low self-esteem and depression.
Social phobia can be limited
to only one type of situation -- such as a fear of speaking in
formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of
others -- or, in its most severe form, a person experiences symptoms
whenever they are around other people. If left untreated, social
phobia can have severe consequences. For example, it may keep people
from going to work or school on some days. Many with this illness
are afraid of being with people other than family members. As a
result, they may have a hard time making and keeping friends.
Symptoms
 Fear
of one or more social or performance situations if the
person is exposed to unfamiliar people. And the individual
fears that she will behave in a manner that causes
embarrassment
Exposure
to social situations causes intense anxiety
The
level of anxiety is recognized by the individual as
excessive
The
feared situation must be avoided, or endured with anxiety
and distress
The
avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress interferes
significantly with the person's social, academic or
occupational functioning
Cognitive-behavioral
therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is effective in treating
social phobia.
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for help, now.
HYPERSOMNIA
Hypersomnia is characterized
by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged
nighttime sleep. People with hypersomnia are compelled to nap
repeatedly during the day, often at inappropriate times such as at
work, during a meal or in conversation. These daytime naps usually
provide no relief from symptoms. Patients often have difficulty
waking from a long sleep, and may feel disoriented. Other symptoms
may include anxiety, increased irritation, decreased energy,
restlessness, slow thinking, slow speech, loss of appetite,
hallucinations and memory difficulty. Some patients lose the ability
to function in family, social, occupational or other settings.
Hypersomnia may be caused by
drug or alcohol abuse, other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or
sleep apnea, or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. In some
cases it results from a physical problem, such as a tumor, head
trauma, or injury to the central nervous system. Certain medications,
or medicine withdrawal, may also cause hypersomnia. Medical
conditions including multiple sclerosis, depression, encephalitis,
epilepsy or obesity may contribute to the disorder. Some people
appear to have a genetic predisposition to hypersomnia; in others,
there is no known cause. Hypersomnia typically affects adolescents
and young adults.
Symptoms
Excessive
sleepiness for at least a month, including prolonged sleep
episodes or daytime sleep episodes almost daily
Excessive
sleepiness severe enough to cause clinically significant
distress or impairment in social, occupational or other
important areas of life
Excessive
sleepiness does not occur exclusively during the course of
another sleep disorder or mental disorder
Excessive
sleepiness is not due to the physiological effects of a
substance or a general medical condition
Most sleep disorders can
be treated effectively.
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for help, now.
INSOMNIA
Insomnia is the feeling of
inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the
following: trouble falling asleep (Initial Insomnia); trouble
remaining asleep through the night (Middle Insomnia); waking up too
early (Terminal Insomnia); or unrefreshing sleep. These can all lead
to daytime drowsiness, poor concentration and the inability to feel
refreshed and rested upon awakening.
Insomnia is not defined by
the hours of sleep a person gets or how long it takes to fall asleep.
Individuals vary normally in their need for, and their satisfaction
with, sleep. Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as
tiredness, difficulty concentrating and irritability.
Insomnia can be classified
as transient, intermittent and chronic. Insomnia lasting from a
single night to a few weeks is referred to as transient. If episodes
of transient insomnia occur from time to time, the insomnia is said
to be intermittent. Insomnia (or Primary Insomnia) is considered to
be chronic if it occurs on most nights and lasts a month or more.
Women, the elderly and
individuals with a history of depression are more likely to
experience insomnia. Factors such as stress, anxiety, a medical
problem or the use of certain medications make the chance of
insomnia more likely.
Symptoms
The
predominant complaint is difficulty falling or staying
sleep, or nonrestorative sleep, for at least one month
The
sleep disturbance (or associated daytime fatigue) causes
clinically significant distress or impairment in social,
occupational or other important areas of functioning
The
sleep disturbance does not occur exclusively during the
course of narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorder,
circadian rhythm sleep disorder or a parasomnia
The
disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of
another mental disorder (such as major depressive disorder,
generalized anxiety disorder, a delirium)
The
disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects
of a substance (such as a drug abuse, a medication) or a
medical condition
Treatment for diagnosed
chronic insomnia includes identifying and stopping behaviors that
may worsen the condition, trying behavioral techniques to improve
sleep, such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and
reconditioning.
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for help, now.
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