In early June, two Major League baseball players were put on the disabled list for social anxiety disorder. The players were from two different teams (and in another twist, the teams played each other on the day the players were put on the disabled list).

Both the Cardinals and the Reds had players suffering from social anxiety disorder, and both teams handled the problem well. The Cardinals placed shortstop Khalil Greene on the disabled list and specifically labeled the reason as “social anxiety disorder.” The Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto left his club to deal with “stress-related issues.”

This is certainly a first for major league baseball, and is the first time social anxiety disorder was officially recognized as a reason for players to be placed on the disabled list.

You can read more in an article at the SportingNews: Baseball deserves credit for addressing mental, emotional issues.

We recently discussed panic attacks, and noted that panic attacks are a recognized social phobia that can be diagnosed and treated using moder medical techniques. Today we discuss “agoraphobia” — an anxiety disorder that is closely related to panic disorders.

Agoraphobia is generally considered to be anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available (in the even to having a panic attac) or panic symptoms (such as a fear of having a suddent attack of dizziness or a sudden attack of diarrhea).

People who suffer from agoraphobia tend to avoid situations which involve social interaction. Agoraphobics avoid beingalone in public,being in large crowds, or travel situations (such as being in airplanes or buses). People who suffer from this disorder tend to avoid social situations, and this can advesely impact their ability to lead normal lives. For example, they may have a difficult time traveling, grocery shopping, commuting, etc.

Specialists who diagnose agoraphobia are instructed to classify the disorder as a specific disorder in which the agoraphobia occurs (for example, you may be diagnosed as suffering from “panic disorder with agoraphobia”, rather than being diagnosed as suffering from “agoraphobia”).

In future articles we will discuss some of the treatment approaches for agoraphobia.

We recently discussed panic attacks, and noted that panic attacks are a recognized social phobia that can be diagnosed and treated using moder medical techniques. Today we discuss “agoraphobia” — an anxiety disorder that is closely related to panic disorders.

Do you experience sudden onsets of fearfulness or intense apprehension? When it happens, are you short of breath? Do you have heart palpitations or chest pain? You may be experiencing “panic attacks”. Let’s learn more about how professionals diagnose this disorder.

Here’s what the official “manual” of mental disorders says about panic attacks.

The essential feature of a Panic Attack is a discrete period of intesnse fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger that is accompanied by at least 4 of 13 somatic or cognitive symptoms. Symptoms can be somatic or cognitive in nature and include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smonthering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or lightheadedness, derealization or depersonalization, fear of losing control or “going crazy”, fear of dying, paesthesias, and chills or hot flushes.

According to the manual, a panic attack has a sudden onsent and then builds to a peak quickly (it usually takes less than 10 minutes to build) and can often be accompanied by a sense of immediate danger or doom and an urge to escape.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Check back at this site, and we’ll discuss how professionals may treat people suffering from panic attacks.

We hear terms like “social anxiety disorder” or “panic attacks” all the time. Do you ever wonder what the “officially” recognized anxiety disorders are? Well, to find out, you need a little history…

Psychiatrists in the U.S. (and around the world) use a standard manual of recognized mental disorders when diagnosing and treating mental disorders The manual is referred to as “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (or “DSM”), and it is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

The DSM has been revised five times since it was first published in 1952 (so the current manual is referred to as “DSM-V”). For a mental disorder to be “officially” recognized, it must be in the DSM.

A number of social anxiety disorders are recognized by the DSM-V, including: a variety of different panic disorders, specific phobia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD), acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD), substance-induced anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified.

Social anxiety disorder is generally categorized under the “social phobia” category. Check back at this site, and we’ll review some of the diagnostic information provided in the DSM regarding social anxiety disorder (as well as some of the other recognized social phobias).

For the last year, it seems that everytime we pick up the paper, there is more bad economic news. Let’s see, we’ve had a gas crisis, a housing crisis, a banking crisis, a stock market crisis, an unemployment crisis… what’s next?

If you suffer from general anxiety disorder, then all of this bad news may cause you to sleep poorly and have a hard time concentrating. If you are highly anxious, have a hard time sleeping and concentrating, and if you know that your financial angst is unfounded or irrational, then you could suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (”GAD”). You may want to seek help.

But remember this — it is perfectly normal to feel anxious in times like these. Anxiety is your body’s way of dealing with stress — your body is making sure you stay alert and are diligent in protecting your finances and job. Also understand that you are not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, three out of four adults are stressed about the economy and their personal finances.

If you are anxious about your finances with good reason, then you may want to deal with your anxiety by taking action. Here are a few resources that may be of assistance to you.

First, if you have a financial emergency and need cash but can’t wait until your next payday, you may be able to get a fast loan by applying for a faxless payday loan (however, please do use these loans with caution, or you may end up with more stress than you started with!).

If you need help managing your personal finances and keeping track of bills and account balances, consider using a (free) service such as the one offered by Mint.

If you have a disastrous credit score, consider learning about legal credit repair to raise your score so you can qualify for better rates and loans.

The economy will (eventually) get better. Make sure you take care of your mental health in the meantime.

The “pituitary gland” is an endocrine gland located just beneath the brain (it is tucked into a bony space below the brain). The pituitary gland receives input and influence from the hypothalamus. It produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which controls the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This helps trigger the “fight-or-flight” response.

The term “breakthrough depression” refers to a depressive episode that occurs in someone with bipolar disorder or major depression who has been doing reasonably well with long-term treatment.

I know this is a little off topic (but not much), but are you suffering from financial anxiety right now (in addition to social anxiety)?

I have had a general level of stress about financial matters since the end of the summer of 2008. The anxiety I feel from the financial world is quite a bit different than my social anxiety. With the financial anxiety, I have a sense of discomfort and unease about my family’s personal financial situation (even though I have a good job, and we are reasonably secure). The symptom that is similar to what I feel with social anxiety is my inability to focus or think clearly when my anxiety is high. I get distracted and unable to focus when I’m suffering from social anxiety, and also am unable to focus when I’m in one of my fits of financial anxiety.

The financial news and advertisements for debt consolidation, credit cards, foreclosure assistance, and payday loans don’t help matters.

I’m just hoping the financial anxiety comes to an end later in 2009. At least (I hope) it will go away (I can’t say as much for my social anxiety)!

Meeting new people can be a nerve wracking experience for some people and can be a nightmare for people suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder.

Dreading celebrations, shying away from conversation and avoiding social situations all together is part of the suffering associated with Social Anxiety Disorder. The holidays are an especially hard time for people who feel uneasy and insecure in social situations. Attending office parties, family gatherings and other social events can cause one suffering with Social Anxiety Disorder to feel miserable and insecure.

There are two types of social disorders. Performance Anxiety is often associated with public speaking and generally performing in public. Generalized social anxiety is the extreme of the two and affects a person’s every day life. Simple social gatherings, meeting new people and even going shopping or out to dinner can cause extreme anxiety. Symptoms of this disorder include sweating, a racing heart, and nausea.

According to The Myrtle Beach Sun News, approximately 12 per cent of adults in the United States experience some form of social anxiety. Many social disorders begin in adolescence and may have arisen after a humiliating experience.

While many people feel there is no cure, the good news is that there are treatments available to help ease the negative feelings associated with social anxiety.

Psychotherapy is a common and healthy treatment, helping patients get over the hurdles of negative thinking by talking about experiences and facing fears. Finding a qualified therapist is important and can be found by contacting the Anxiety Disorders of America www.adaa.org

Another option to treat social anxiety disorder is medication. Doctors may prescribe benzodiazepine to quickly ease feelings of anxiety or a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Medication can prove to be very effective, especially if taken with psychotherapy.

People with social anxiety should also avoid alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, and should get plenty of sleep and exercise. Exercise promotes a healthy body image and is an excellent way to reduce stress.

People with Social Anxiety Disorder do not have to live with their insecurities and fear of meeting new people. There are treatments and techniques available to make a person’s quality of life much more fulfilling.

Social Anxiety Disorder may be met with negative reactions from people who are not aware or have not experienced an anxiety related condition themselves.

Social Anxiety Disorder has been named one of the Top 10 “Yuppie” conditions. The disorder is categorized with similar conditions including: Chronic Fatigue, Tennis Elbow, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gluten Allergy, Epstein-Barr virus (or EBV), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Restless Leg Syndrome, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Fibromyalgia.

A Yuppie is short for Young Urban Professional, people who are middle class and financially secure and have reached financial gain with little effort. Like Chronic Fatigue, which was coined “The Yuppie Flu” when it first emerged, Social Anxiety Disorder is often perceived to be a made up condition for people who do not wish to face every day situations. Like many anxiety related disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder may not always be taken seriously because it cannot be physically diagnosed with a blood test or an X-ray. According to ABC.com News, doctors who diagnose these disorders can at times come under criticism as people believe they are making money off of the drugs they prescribe to their patients.

Many people with Social Anxiety Disorder have, in the past, been perceived as ‘shy’. However, being a shy person and being afraid to enter into social situations are two different issues. Shy people are afraid of social situations but avoiding a social situation altogether, to the point of rarely leaving the house, is more extreme.

Dealing with social anxiety and not being taken seriously can heighten anxiety, causing people struggling with the condition to further enter into their personal shells. Being ridiculed and criticized will not cure a social disorder and should be taken seriously. The concept of a “Yuppie” condition exists because people who have not suffered from the condition find it hard to comprehend suffering from anxiety themselves.