Skip to content
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Community
  • Athletics
  • Current Students
  • Online Students
  • Future Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visitors & Community
  • Athletics
  • LOG IN
Gavilan College
  • search
  • ACADEMICS
    Degrees & Programs
    students working at desk

    Your College, Your Success. Whether you are completing the lower division requirements of a university degree, or getting the skills you need for a great career, Gavilan College is a great place to start. 

    Information:

    • Schedule of Classes
    • Catalog
    • Dates and Deadlines
    • Directory
    • Online Classes

    Other Classes:

    • Community Education
    • TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA)
    • Noncredit Instruction
    • Service Learning

    Departments:

    • Allied Health
    • Aviation
    • Business
    • Child Development
    • Communication
    • Computer Science
    • Cosmetology
    • Digital Media
    • English as a Second Language
    • Music Department
    • Spanish
    • All Departments
  • ADMISSIONS
    Apply & Register
    graduates on bridge

    From application to graduation to transcripts, the Office of Admissions and Records is here every step of your journey.

    New Students

    • Admissions Homepage
    • Apply for Admission
    • Assessment Tests
    • Kickstart Orientation

    Just For

    • High School Students
    • International Students
    • Veterans

    All Students

    • College Catalog
    • Dates & Deadlines
    • Fees / Costs
    • Forms
    • Parking
    • Schedule of Classes
    • Transcripts
  • FINANCIAL AID
    Pay for College
    Students in transfer center

    Yes, you can afford to go to college! The Gavilan College Financial Aid & Scholarships department is here to help you find ways to pay for college tuition and related expenses.

    Information

    • Financial Aid Home
    • Forms
    • Making a Budget
    • Questions & Answers

    Programs

    • Current Scholarships
    • Veterans Services
    • Staff and Contact Information
  • STUDENT SERVICES
    Guidance & Support

    Core Services

    • Admissions & Records
    • Financial Aid
    • Counseling
    • Assessment
    • Kickstart Orientation
    • Tutoring
    • Career / Transfer Center
    • Welcome Center

    Specialized Programs

    • Accessible Education Center (AEC)
    • Basic Skills
    • CalWORKS
    • Dreamers, AB540, & DACA Students
    • Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOPS)
    • Foster Youth
    • Mathematics, Engineering (MESA)
    • Puente Project
    • STEM
    • TRiO Program
    • Veterans

    Other Resources

    • All Student Services
    • Bookstore
    • Civic Engagement
    • Learning Commons
    • Library
    • Online Courses
    • Service Learning
    • Student Health
    • Writing Center

    Student Information

    • Student Rights & Responsibilities (Handbook)
    • Computer Labs
    • Technology Helpdesk

    Student Activities

    • Associated Students (ASGC)
    • ASGC Events Calendar
    • Clubs
  • LIBRARY
    Research & Resources
    Student reading

    Whether for your research paper or your interests, current and reliable materials, in print and online are available from the library. Create, study, work together and more at your Library.

    Research

    • Library Homepage
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • Articles Databases
    • Full List of All Library Databases
    • Library Research Guides

    Library

    • FAQs
    • Library Services
    • Faculty Services
    • Selected Websites by Subject
  • ABOUT GAVILAN
    Now & History

    students at graduation

    Gavilan College is one of California’s 114 community colleges, serving a 2,700- square-mile area from South San Jose through most of San Benito County. The main campus, with a park-like setting, is located in Gilroy, CA. Additional instructional sites are located in Coyote Valley, Morgan Hill, San Martin (Aviation Maintenance Technology), and Hollister. Gavilan College offers courses and programs that satisfy the transfer requirements of four-year colleges and universities; job skill and career training programs; Basic Skills and English as a Second Language (ESL); Noncredit and Community Education.

    College Information

    • About Gavilan
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Budget Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Community Education
    • Employment
    • Guided Pathways
    • Maps & Directions
    • Message from the President
    • Parking
    • Personnel Directory
    • Research Office

    Community

    • Alumni
    • Community Spirit Awards
    • Events
    • Facilities Rental
    • Gavilan College Educational Foundation (GCEF)
    • Potential 2018 Facilities Bond
    • News
    • Outreach & Recruitment
${alt}
Home > Student Services > Health Services > Anxiety and Panic Disorder

Anxiety and Panic Disorder

woman holding face in fear 

Anxiety and Panic Disorder

 
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/EmergencyServices/default.asp
Coping with the aftermaths of a disaster: tips from the US Dept of Health and Human services.
 
http://mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=1
Articles and news from MentalHealth.net.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/anxiety.cfm
Spanish information about anxiety disorders… (En Español).
http://www.mentalhealth.com/
 

Although anxiety can be a completely normal response to stress, it becomes a disorder when it is out of proportion to what is going on, or is impossible to control. Out-of-control anxiety can hurt a person's ability to work, study, interact with people, or follow a daily routine.

It can be a real medical condition, developing from a complex set of biological and environmental factors, including genetics, biochemistry, and traumatic life events.

Some people express their anxiety emotionally, while others show signs of physical distress. The unifying factor, however, is a sense of overwhelming, irrational fear.

Symptoms

  • Excessive worry with an inability to control Intense episodes of fear or panic
  • Recurring nightmares
  • Avoidance of social situations
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Repeated, unwanted thoughts or obsessions
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Upsetting, intrusive memories of a traumatic event
  • Physical symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, shaking, dizziness, numbness, or difficulty breathing

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the US. The following are all types of anxiety disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with generalized anxiety experience excessive and uncontrollable worries about everyday things. Their anxiety is usually disproportionate to the source of worry. This anxiety interferes with day-to-day life and can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, trembling, and fidgeting.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): People with OCD experience intrusive, repetitive thoughts and obsessions. In turn, the obsessions trigger compulsive or routine behaviors meant to prevent an imaginary dreaded event. A person with OCD knows that their thoughts and behaviors don't make sense, but is unable to control them.

Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks, in which a person feels extreme physical anxiety that can last several minutes. Symptoms of a panic attack include shortness of breath and visual disorientation. Many times, people don't realize they're having a panic attack, and will show up at the doctor's office thinking they're very ill. Panic disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, but not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. Many people have just one attack and never have another.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, or violent assault. PTSD flashbacks may be so strong that individuals feel like they are actually re-living the traumatic event.

Phobias: A phobia is the excessive or unreasonable fear of something that actually presents little or no danger. Phobias can take many forms; common forms are fear of heights and fear of animals. People with phobias, particularly social phobia, may also have problems with substance abuse.

Social Anxiety Disorder: Social Anxiety Disorder causes a person distress in social situations. The socially anxious person can't relax or "take it easy" around people. They may experience symptoms such as trembling, nausea, and sweating in social settings.

Managing Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are manageable with treatment, such as counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and, if needed, medication.

Therapy for anxiety disorders works by helping people identify and change the irrational beliefs or fears behind their anxiety. A healthy lifestyle also plays an important role in managing anxiety; adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise can all help minimize symptoms, as can relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.

If you or someone you know may have an anxiety disorder, contact your school's health center, especially if thoughts of suicide are present.

From ULifeline, a project of the JED Foundation. Full Article

Anxiety and Panic Disorder Resources

  • The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): A leader in education, training, and research for anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.
  • National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): A division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the NIMH site is a reliable source of information and resources.
 
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/EmergencyServices/default.asp
Coping with the aftermaths of a disaster: tips from the US Dept of Health and Human services.
 
http://mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=1
Articles and news from MentalHealth.net.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/anxiety.cfm
Spanish information about anxiety disorders… (En Español).
http://www.mentalhealth.com/
 
South County Self Help Center
South County Self Help Center Is A Safe Confidential and Free Service For Mental Health Consumers. Our Vision Is To Be Of Service To The Mental Health Community, To Promote Self Healing, Education and Networking with Peers Through Peer Supported Activities.

South County Self Help Center 
1235 1st Street 
Gilroy, CA 95020 
408.686.2365 - main line
408.686.2368 - direct line

The Soldiers Project
Free mental health counseling services for those serving and/or going to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. Family members included.

QUICKLINKS & CONTACT INFO

QUICKLINKS

  • Student Health Homepage
  • Services Available

  • 2018 Health Faire - October 3rd
  • Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act
  • Abuse
  • ADD/ADHD
  • AIDS
  • Alcohol Abuse
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety and Panic Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Bullying and Intimidation
  • Dating Violence
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Disaster Planning
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Abuse
  • Eating Disorders
  • Environment
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • Gambling Addiction
  • Grieving and Loss
  • H1N1 Flu
  • Hepatitis
  • LGBTQ Issues
  • Low Cost Prescription Providers
  • Men's Health
  • Meningococcal Disease
  • Mental Health
  • Nutrition
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Oral Health
  • Piercing
  • Trauma
  • Report an Incident
  • Resources in San Benito County
  • Resources in Santa Clara County
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Safe Sex
  • Schizophrenia
  • Self-Injury
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexuality
  • Smoking
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Stress
  • Stroke
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Tattoos and Tattoo Removal
  • Veterans
  • Wellness and Lifestyle
  • Women's Health


Location: Student Center, SC 118, near counseling

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 3:00pm
Friday (by appointment only): 8:30am - 12pm

(hours are subject to change depending on student's needs)



CONTACT

Alice Dufresne-Reyes

College Health Nurse
(408) 848-4791
adufresnereyes@gavilan.edu



STUDENT RESOURCES

  • Admissions & Records
  • Counseling
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Services
  • Library
  • Academic Calendar
  • College Hour Calendar
  • 2018 Schedule

QUICKLINKS

  • A-Z Index
  • Bookstore
  • Calendars
  • College Catalog
  • Tech Support
  • Employment
  • Maps & Directions
  • myGav Portal

Board Docs

OTHER INFO

  • Associate Degrees For Transfer
  • Accreditation
  • Campus Safety Information & Disclosures
  • Instructional Locations
  • Gainful Employment
  • Net Cost Calculator
  • Register to Vote
  • Report an Incident
  • See Something/Say Something
  • Student Success Scorecard
  • Student Learning Outcomes

CONTACT US

  • Contact Form
  • Employee Directory
  • Office / Department Directory
  • Site Feedback
  • Accessibility

Gavilan College
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848 - 4800