2. Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
• According to the American
Psychological Association, Anxiety is an
emotion characterized by feelings of
tension, worried thoughts, and
physical changes like increased blood
pressure.
• People with anxiety disorders usually
have recurring intrusive thoughts or
concerns. They may avoid certain
situations out of worry.
3. Anxiety
What is Anxiety?
• They may also have physical symptoms
such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a
rapid heartbeat.
• Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are
often used interchangeably. Anxiety is
considered a future-oriented, long-acting
response broadly focused on a diffuse threat,
whereas fear is an appropriate, present-
oriented, and short-lived response to an
identifiable and specific threat.
4. Causes of Anxiety Disorder
Environmental stressors,
such as relationship
problems or family issues
Medical factors such as
existing disease symptoms or
the effects of medication
Family history and genetic
Hormonal imbalance which can
affect brain activity
Substance-use withdrawal
effect
5. Anxiety Signs and Symptoms
Cognitive
• “Brain fog,” mood swings, disorientation, persistent
nervousness, irritability, the feeling of impending doom or
danger; difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; fear
of being judged by others or negatively evaluated;
hypervigilance, narrowing focus or tunnel vision; poor
memory and trouble controlling worry
6. Anxiety Signs and Symptoms
Physical
• Headaches, racing pulse, hyperventilation, trouble
breathing, stomachaches, sweating, trembling, fatigue, chest
tightness, tingling fingers, tense muscles, dry mouth, and
neck pain
7. Anxiety Signs and Symptoms
Behavioral
• Actively avoiding places or situations that cause anxiety
and changes in sleep patterns; flight, escape; seeking
safety and reassurance, restlessness, pacing agitation;
freezing, motionless, and unable to speak
8. Anxiety Signs and Symptoms
Affective
• Frightened, fearful, jumpy, trembling, jittery; nervous,
tense, wound-up; and impatient, frustrated
9. GAD
Anxiety Disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD typically involves persistent
feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, or dread
related to and interfering with multiple
aspects of daily life. A person managing
GAD may experience excessive worry
about ordinary situations in day-to-day
life, rather than being focused on a
specific topic or problem.
10. Panic
Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
• People with panic disorders
experience sudden, overwhelming
periods of anxiety and fear, often
lasting for several minutes. These
episodes are debilitating and can occur
without warning or an obvious cause.
11. Social
Anxiety
Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
• Many people have trouble controlling
fear of rejection or humiliation in
social situations, leading to a
persistent fear of social interaction,
particularly around unfamiliar people
or circumstances that involve
performance.
12. Phobia-
Related
Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
• Intense fear and aversion related to
specific objects or situations are called
phobia-related disorders. They often
involve irrational concerns about
things that pose little or no actual
danger. Encountering the object of a
phobia often triggers extreme
reactions.
13. Separation
Anxiety
Disorder
(SAD)
Anxiety Disorders
• Persistent, intense fear for one’s loved
ones when separated. While many
worry about their friends and families,
people with separation anxiety
disorder often display extreme
reactions to separation, dislike being
alone, and need constant reassurance.
14. Anxiety Treatments
Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most
common treatment for anxiety disorders. This
therapeutic approach centers on developing
different, more beneficial ways of thinking,
behaving, and reacting to situations. Successful
CBT can help you manage your anxiety symptoms and
the stress they induce while allowing you to feel less
anxious and fearful. CBT is a proven strategy with
well-documented repeatable results.
15. Anxiety Treatments
Psychotherapy
• Some people with anxiety have also found
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
helpful. This approach differs from CBT’s focus on
identifying and replacing negative thoughts by
using mindfulness and goal setting to reduce
anxiety and discomfort.
16. Anxiety Treatments
Medication
• While medication does not cure anxiety disorders or
provide long-term, meaningful change, it can often be
an effective tool to help you manage your anxiety
symptoms and reactions to tense situations. Common
medications used for anxiety disorders include
antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, and beta
blockers. Speak to your doctor or mental health
provider to learn about anxiety medication and its
potential benefits, side effects, and risks.
17. Anxiety Treatments
Lifestyle Changes
• According to researchers at the University of
Minnesota, you can make lifestyle changes to help
control your anxiety symptoms in addition to therapy
and medication as part of your comprehensive
strategy to manage your mental health condition.
18. Tips To Naturally Reduce Anxiety
• Regular exercise or physical activity
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Avoid alcohol and substance use
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule
• Practice meditation and a mindful lifestyle
• Keep a journal to track your anxiety triggers and
coping skills
• Focus on positive thinking to reframe your reactions
to anxiety
19. What is Depression?
• It refers to a common and serious medical illness that
negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and
how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of
interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a
variety of emotional and physical problems and can
decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
20. What is Depression?
• Depression is a mood disorder that causes a
persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also
called major depressive disorder or clinical
depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave
and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical
problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-
day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life
isn't worth living (Mayo Clinic, nd),
21. Symptoms of Depression
• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or
hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over
small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal
activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping
too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take
extra effort
22. Symptoms of Depression
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased
cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past
failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and
remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal
thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or
headaches
23. Depression symptoms in children
and teens • In younger children, symptoms of depression may
include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches
and pains, refusing to go to school, or being
underweight.
• In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability,
feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor
performance or poor attendance at school, feeling
misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using
recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too
much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities,
and avoidance of social interaction.
24. What causes Depression?
• Biological differences. People with depression
appear to have physical changes in their brains. The
significance of these changes is still uncertain, but
may eventually help pinpoint causes.
• Brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally
occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in
depression. Recent research indicates that changes in
the function and effect of these neurotransmitters
and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in
maintaining mood stability may play a significant role
in depression and its treatment.
25. What causes Depression?
• Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of
hormones may be involved in causing or triggering
depression. Hormone changes can result with
pregnancy and during the weeks or months after
delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems,
menopause, or a number of other conditions.
• Inherited traits. Depression is more common in
people whose blood relatives also have this condition.
Researchers are trying to find genes that may be
involved in causing depression.
26. Risk factors
Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing
or triggering depression include:
• Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and
being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
• Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or
sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a
difficult relationship, or financial problems
• Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar
disorder, alcoholism, or suicide
• Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs
• Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke,
chronic pain or heart disease
27. Risk factors
Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing
or triggering depression include:
• Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or having
variations in the development of genital organs that
aren't clearly male or female (intersex) in an
unsupportive situation
• History of other mental health disorders, such as
anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic
stress disorder
• Certain medications, such as some high blood
pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your
doctor before stopping any medication)
28. Prevention
• Take steps to control stress, to increase your
resilience, and boost your self-esteem.
• Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of
crisis, to help you weather rough spells.
• Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to
help prevent depression from worsening.
• Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to
help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
29. Mental health and well-being of
children in the Philippine setting
during the COVID-19 pandemic
By: Malolos et. al (2021)
30. Status of mental health system for
children in the Philippines
• According to the National Statistics Office (NSO),
mental health illnesses rank as the third most
common form of morbidity among Filipinos.
• A prevalence of 16% of mental disorders among
children was reported. With this alarming number of
cases, it is surprising to see how the Philippines is
currently responding to this problem. To date, there
are only five government hospitals with psychiatric
facilities for children, 84 general hospitals with
psychiatric units, and 46 outpatient facilities from
which there are only 11 that are designated for
children and adolescents. Additionally, only 60 child
psychiatrists are practicing in the Philippines, with the
majority of them practicing in urban areas such as the
National Capital Region.
31. Status of mental health system for
children in the Philippines
• As the pandemic continues, combined with the
menace of the typhoon season, thousands of children
are placed in a situation where the future is
uncertain. A local study showed that youth age and
students are among those with significant association
to a greater psychological impact due to the
pandemic.
32. General mental health implications of
COVID-19 on Filipino children
• The fear and anxiety of contracting the virus, the
suspension of physical classes, the disruption of
regular daily routine, and the decrease of social
support from school peers collectively add a burden
to the mental well-being of children.
• The shift to online classes increases the burden on
the mental well-being of children.
33. General mental health implications of
COVID-19 on Filipino children
• Excessive use of these technologies has been
associated with developmental delays and has
resulted in sleep schedule disruptions. This situation
is aggravated by the strict implementation of the
confinement of children at home.
• Children living with preexisting mental health
concerns, and living in cramped households and
communities face worse circumstances.
34. General mental health implications of
COVID-19 on Filipino children
• Typhoons and the mental health of Filipino children
Children who are already frightened of COVID-19
and previous tropical storms have had to relive
their experience with each new typhoon that
came. In addition, children in crowded evacuation
centers are at increased risk of contracting
diseases and experiencing gender-based violence.
35. General mental health implications of
COVID-19 on Filipino children
• Child Labor and Abuse in the Time of COVID-19
a study entitled The Hidden Impact of COVID-19
on Children reported that violence occurred in
nearly one-third (32%) of households. Lesser
household incomes were associated with more
reports of violence towards children.
According to UNICEF, the Philippine government
saw a 260% increase in online child abuse reports
from March to May.
36. General mental health implications of
COVID-19 on Filipino children
• Child Labor and Abuse in the Time of COVID-19
Many victims are first abused by their parents,
who livestream sexual violence for predators in
wealthy Western nations.
This occurrence resulted from job and income loss
and more time spent at home due to strict
quarantine measures. The abuse in children
occurs for an average of 2 years before being
rescued.
37. Strategies Addressing the mental health
implications of COVID-19 on Filipino children
• The Psychological Association of the Philippines
has compiled a list of free telemedicine
consultations.
• As of August 24, the Philippine Red Cross has also
established a COVID-19 hotline with 9790 helpline
volunteers to address mental health and other
similar concerns.
• The Department of Health has also conducted
nationwide campaigns in observance of the
National Mental Health Week
38. References:
• Mayo Clinic Health System (2022). Identifying signs of anxiety and depression. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/addressing-your-mental-health-by-identifying-the-signs-
of-anxiety-and-depression?fbclid=IwAR0PlwePBafgoAvMOmEoNaBg8hygo7KJOJXI-TmR7vS3mtE1dC02KKJ2RwA.
• Mayo Clinic Health System (2022). Identifying signs of anxiety and depression. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/addressing-your-mental-health-by-identifying-the-signs-
of-anxiety-and-depression?fbclid=IwAR0PlwePBafgoAvMOmEoNaBg8hygo7KJOJXI-TmR7vS3mtE1dC02KKJ2RwA.
• Mayo Clinic Health System (2022). Depression (major depressive disorder). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007.
• American Psychological Association (2023). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety.
• https://www.hdfcergo.com/health-insurance/wellness-corner/mental-illnesses/anxiety-disorders
• BetterHelp (2023). Anxiety: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/anxiety/anxiety-
definition-psychology-and-treatments/.
• World Health Organization (2023). Depressive disorder (depression). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression.
