Page 143 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

source of anxiety, but it helps keep us alert and cautious to avoid accidents. However, when feelings of
intense fear and distress become overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday activities, an
anxiety disorder may be the cause. “ 207

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder marked by unpredictable minutes-long episodes of intense dread
in which a person experiences terror and accompanying chest pain, choking, or other frightening
sensations” (Myers, 2012). “Many people accept their phobias and live with them, but others are
incapacitated by their efforts to avoid the feared situation. Marilyn, an otherwise healthy and happy 28-
year-old, so fears thunderstorms that she feels anxious as soon as a weather forecaster mentions
possible storms later in the week. If her husband is away and a storm is forecast, she may stay with a
close relative. During a storm, she hides from windows and buries her head to avoid seeing the
lightning.” 208

Other specific phobias may focus on animals, insects, heights, blood, or close spaces. People avoid the
stimulus that arouses the fear, hiding during thunderstorms or avoiding high places. Not all phobias
have such specific triggers. Social phobia is shyness
taken to an extreme. Those with a social phobia, an
intense fear of being criticized by others, avoid
potentially embarrassing social situations, such as
speaking up, eating out, or going to parties – or will
sweat, tremble, or get sick when doing so. 209

People who have experienced several panic attacks may
come to fear the fear itself and avoid situations where
the panic has struck before. If the fear is intense enough,
it may become agoraphobia, fear or avoidance of
situations in which escape might be difficult or help
unavailable when panic strikes. Given such fear, people
may avoid being outside the home, in a crowd, on a bus,
or on an elevator. 210
(Drawing by AxurLazuly on deviantart.com)

Depression
“Depression is a common mental disorder and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. Globally,
an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. More women are affected than men.
Depression is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness, and poor concentration. People with depression may also have
multiple physical complaints with no apparent physical cause. Depression can be long-lasting or
recurrent, substantially impairing people’s ability to function at work or school and to cope with daily
life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide.” 211

207 NAMI, 2020
208 Myers, 2012
209 Ibid.
210 Ibid.
211 “Mental Disorders,” p. 1, 2019

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