Anxiety Awareness - Part II

(continued from the previous post)

Oddly enough, not even medical professions seem to be immune to this problem. Many people can, even nowadays, attest to their experience of consulting a doctor with clear-cut symptoms of a specific disorder and coming out with a generic anxiety diagnosis and an often inadequate anxyolitic prescription (plus, without any indication to consult a mental health specialist for counseling / psychotherapy).

Let's take an example (fictitious, yet no doubt common): a person with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) finally decides to go see a doctor, employing an enormous effort to fight the anxiety derived from having to schedule an appointment, actually facing the doctor, and trying to explain to him what the problem is. And yet, that person still comes out uninformed and without a real, effective, treatment plan (SAD most often requires psychotherapy, which may or may not be supported by anti-anxiety medication). Sounds strange? It is actually something that mental health professionals sometimes still come across, after their patients stopped postponing specialized treatment for months or even years.

Awareness is fundamental; in medical professions, it is vital; in patient's relatives and friends, essential. Understanding is a huge part of the process of recovery. Anxiety disorders are NOT an exageration, and should be addressed: with help, they can be minimized or even overcome.