Panic Anxiety Education
Management Services

The Politics of Anxiety Disorder Treatments - Who suffers?

We are in a unique position knowing what is, or more to the point, what is not happening in regards to treatment services for many thousands (millions...) of people with Anxiety Disorders. The following paper is based upon the issues raised by our client group which is now supported by numerous international research studies. The question of appropriate treatment for people can come down to politics ... and in the end ....

Table of Contents:

	Introduction
	Background & Statistics	(About Anxiety Disorders, Prevalence, Personal statistics eg. personal, social, economic factors)
	Effective Treatment & Prevention of Anxiety Disorders	(Treatments, prevention, early diagnosis, education, issues, outcomes)
	Treatment - The medical model	(Prescribed medication, behavioural)
	Effective Treatment	(Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Prevention, other services)
	Conclusion
	References

INTRODUCTION

Our Association has been Incorporated since June 1987. We are the largest Consumer Anxiety Disorder Association in Australia. Last year, we facilitated 74 Panic Anxiety Management Programs and Workshops throughout the country. Our Panic Anxiety Management Programs and Workshops were developed to assist people who were falling through the 'gap,' or one could say, falling through the 'gaping hole', in both public and private treatment services. We received over 6000 telephone calls from new clients during the period 1st March 1997 to the 30th June 1997.

Four years ago, we assisted in the establishment of the Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Australia Inc. in South Australia. The Board of the Foundation is comprised of four consumer representatives all whom have had an Anxiety Disorder, psychiatrists, psychologists, a general practitioner and two other community representatives. The Anxiety Disorders Foundation has now also Incorporated in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The Foundation represents both consumers and interested Health Professionals throughout Australia and operates as our 'peak body', providing assistance and support to our organisation.

As our Association is the largest consumer organisation of its kind in Australia, we are in a unique position knowing what is, or more to the point, what is not happening in regards to treatment services for many thousands of people with Anxiety Disorders. The following paper is based upon the issues raised by our client group which is now supported by numerous international research studies.

BACKGROUND in brief

Anxiety Disorders include the following: (1)

1. Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, all either with or without Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is now defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a fear of having a panic attack in a situation or place where help may not be readily available. It is NOT recognised as a fear of open spaces or "the market place". (1)

Anxiety Disorders are generally associated with Anxiety Symptoms that are so severe people believe they are having a heart attack, are going to die, or are going insane or will lose control. The main symptoms include, palpitations, chest pain, breathing difficulties, choking or smothering sensations, tingling or burning sensations, nausea, giddiness, shaking, trembling, hot or cold flashes, pins and needles, diarrhoea, tunnel vision, feelings of unreality, feeling detached from one's body (out of body experience). (1) Variations in symptoms and/ or the severity of the symptoms adds to the confusion of people who experience them.

PREVALENCE
12.6% of the population (2)=2.2 million people in Australia (3)

CURRENT 'OUTCOMES'

PERSONAL
Suicide (Panic Disorder): 20% (4)
Seriously thinking about it (Panic Disorder): 54% (5)

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE
Alcohol abuse: 40% (6)
Other drugs : 20% (6)

UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployed: 18% (5)
Lost job at some time because of Disorder: 44% (5)
Taken lower position because of Disorder: 33% (5)
Mean economic loss $41,000: 34% (5)

SOCIAL
United Kingdom (all Disorders): 3 Billion Pounds per year (7)
U.S.A. (Panic Disorder only): 1 Billion Dollars per year (8)

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
Now available with long term results

PREVENTION
Greater Community awareness and effective treatment services

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