A Few Footnotes

• Depression can frequently accompany anxiety. People should be aware it can also be present and is an additional limiting factor.
• A problem with juries has been noted. The manner in which these people may give their testimony has been interpreted by jury members as 'not being sure', 'stretching the truth', 'outright lies' , etc.
• The adrenalin flow which occurs during high anxiety frequently causes the person to be very tired. After an appearance they will probably be sleeping for the next few days and/or worrying big time that the car may have been going at 55 and not the 60 they indicated. Therefore, having them return to give further testimony may not be a realistic option.
• People with anxiety disorders are frequently peace makers and people pleasers. They do not want (as opposed to need) to be treated any differently than anyone else. As a result of this, they will frequently attempt to go far beyond their capabilities.
• In addition to being snappy, a person may become angry. This is a redirection from anxiety to another type of outlet. While a person may exhibit anger, there is no excuse whatsoever for the person to be rude or insulting.
• It is unfortunate that some people use the anxiety problem to their benefit making them sound confused and so on. I have little polite to say to these people but there is a flip side. I have been amazed how the person's behaviour can change when they become really angry. In some cases they have suddenly shown the sharp clear minds they normally have and cut the feet out from someone who thought they had them to the point of near self-destruction.
• Likewise, I can think of no term to describe some disability insurance companies who insist that to pursue the claim for being housebound with agoraphobia, they must present themselves at some place there is no hope of them being able to attend. In one case when a court order was issued to have the hearing at the person's house, the insurance company appealed it.
• There is one school of thought which claims people with an anxiety disorder can attend anywhere and can be treated as any other person. The person may be able to force herself to do it but the down stream damage can be long lasting and severe.

In Summary

The above is not a Christmas wish list. They are suggestions from people who tried the various "aids" to help those with anxiety. The severity of disorder and the degree of accommodation varies from person to person. Certainly not all of the above will apply to everyone or even anyone. It should be done on an individual basis through discussion with the person and her caregiver.

Finally

I would like to end with a cute excerpt I received from a very frustrated court officer who was looking for a solution. It seems a crime was committed in front of a group of people who were just leaving an anxiety support group meeting. Most of them had extreme difficulties in giving evidence.

The court officer's email contained the following:

Here come de judge,
Here come de judge.
There go de witnesses,
There go de witnesses.