Posted by Utopia on December 29, 2003, at 12:53:13
In reply to Is this anxiety? If not, what is it?, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:37:54
Hey there,
I agree with the dragonfly et al.
When you are anxious of a real problem, like public speaking, it's normal anxiety and what determines if it's a phobia is your intensity of fear and reaction (controlled / uncontrolled).Fear of snakes is pure anxiety and if you run a mile and climb up the closest tree, even though the snake is in a cage, makes it a phobia because most people are scared of snakes but that snake posed no threat. They are, however tangible objects to fear.
When one is scared of something which is not there, but is fearful - just in case - with no tangible object to create the fear from, just in the immagination, then it's paranoia.
Both cases are driven and determined by extreme anxiety and your ability to control the flight/fight response.
It definitely seems to be paranoia on a multiple of levels. There's no insanity. Just a lot of fear. It might even be justified due to ghosts from her past.
You must take your friend to see a good pdoc and let it all hang out. Every single person walking the streets has anxiety, some more some less.
With today's medications or even just therapy these generalized anxieties are easily controlled.
Good luck
P.S. Tell your friend to avoid coffee, cigarettes and chocolate.
poster:Utopia
thread:294009
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294317.html