Week 2 Anxiety Disorder

"Hannah, age 55, was in a major car accident 20 years ago during a cross country trip. Ever since, she has been unable to drive on major highways. Although she does drive, she goes to great length to travel only on back roads and scenic routes. She is able to go where she wants but it often takes her much longer to get there than it should."

Hannah is suffering from post-traumatic stress, due by the onset of a life threatening car crash. Her inability to drive on the major highways for 20 years shows that she experiences distress at exposure to external stimuli that remind her of the accident. She has a persistent avoidance of stimuli the "highway" because of her avoidance of highways for over 20 years which indicates that it is still a problem in her life. She shows a mild form of hypervigilance by having an exaggerated belief that by not driving on the highway she could some how avoid accidents. By having this problem for over 20 years it shows that it is in a chronic state.

Possible treatments for her case could be trauma focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. "Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event–particularly thoughts that are distorted and irrational—and replacing them with more balanced picture."

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/ptsd.htm

Psychological Trends Among Celebrities Being Reflected in Society

Society, composed of all its subtleties, twists, and turns reflects upon the character of the people. When the people start to crumble so does the social structure. However, our lives aren't on display for the world to see, so problems in our society become merely statistics. Stars can't enjoy the comfort the "Average Joe Six pack" can. 24/7 they are being constantly monitored, stalked, and scrutinized for their every action. There issues are placed in the streets for all eyes to behold of. This can become a double-edged sword, on one side their innermost secrets and struggles become publicized, and on the other they can use this attention to help with awareness and funding for the disease. some cower away from such responsibilities, but a few rise up to this mantle and use their influence in the best way they know how.



One of the most common psychological issues among celebrities is anxiety and depression. Magazines, tabloids, gossip TV shows, reviews, and public opinion are main contributors to these problems. (http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/10/02/jane-pauleys-battle-with-bipolar/) Introducing Mind to he Media by Margarita Tartakovsky wrote,

" Celebrities get publicly punished for three things:


Putting on weight


Looking anorexic


Having cellulite


Celebrities get publicly praised for only two though:


Looking thin


Losing weight (while sharing their diet and workout secrets!) ."



Her article went on to say that the media through the intense examination of stars physical features, harm our own image on how we should look. The image is being constantly thrown at us that we begin to look inward and question, "am i too fat, am i ugly, does anyone like," by this happening the foundation of our self-esteem and confidence begins to erode; this leads us down the path of anxiety and depression that these famous stars are experiencing.

The Olson twins once the darlings of the American family fell into the grips of weight loss. Mary-Kate officially checked in for anorexia-nervosa. The goal is not to be thin, but rather healthy not all weight is for all people. do what best fits you and not what social norms say.