Introduction

Intelligence is the capacity to engage in valid, abstract reasoning in relation to an area of information. In the realm of emotions, intelligence involves understanding the general nature of emotions, the meanings of individual emotions and the capacity to uncover similarities and differences among emotions. How human beings develop emotionally is of core importance in building good interpersonal relationships. Scientific studies have suggested that emotional intelligence helps a person to become successful in life. Hence developing high emotional intelligence is essential for an adolescent to excel in future life.

What is emotional intelligence?

According to Daniel Goleman, “emotional intelligence is a master aptitude, a capacity that profoundly affects all other abilities, either facilitating or interfering with them”. The term emotional intelligence encompasses the following five characteristics and abilities:

1. Self awareness
2. Self management
3. Self motivation
4. Empathy
5. Social skills

These competencies are measured in determining the emotional quotient (EQ) of and individual.

Why adolescents need high emotional intelligence?

Adolescents who are academically brilliant may sometimes be socially and interpersonally inept. Despite possessing a high IQ, success may not automatically follow. But by increasing the emotional quotients, the adolescents can become more productive and successful at what they do and they can also help others to become more productive and successful too. High emotional intelligence will definitely help an adolescent to reduce stress by decreasing conflict, improving relationships and understanding.

Emotional intelligence and success in academic performance

Research suggests that emotional health is fundamental to effective learning. The most critical element for a student’s success in school is an understanding of how to learn. Some key ingredients for this understanding are – confidence, self control, capacity to communicate and ability to co-operate. These traits are all aspects of emotional intelligence. An intelligent adolescent who is self aware and intrinsically motivated will definitely have very high academic performance. Adolescents with high emotional intelligence will also have good relationship with teachers and parents which also help them to perform well in their examinations. Students with good EQ will not have conflicts with peer group and are not likely to use drugs or alcohol.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence enables the adolescent to develop very good interpersonal relationships and to have better social support. It is a highly desirable and personally valuable attribute to possess. Through life skills training and scientific guidance, we can improve the emotional intelligence of adolescents and thus we can lead them towards a very successful future life.

Introduction

Anxiety is an alerting signal, which enables a person to become prepared to deal with a threat. Every person experiences anxiety during stressful situations in life. Normal anxiety is a diffuse, unpleasant vague sense of apprehension, which subsides easily. But anxiety becomes pathological, when it interferes with day to day activities of an individual, or necessitates treatment
Panic disorder is a common anxiety disorder. Life time prevalence is 1.5 to 5%. It is twice more common in women than in men.

Significance of Panic disorder in Pregnancy

Several studies have shown that the intrauterine environment can be altered by maternal anxiety which will affect the fetal growth and development. The sympathetic activation and elevated cortisol level during panic attacks will contribute to increased uterine artery resistance. The elevated maternal cortisol during anxiety can also have a direct adverse effect on the development of fetal brain. The antenatal panic disorder is also associated with an amplification of physical symptoms in pregnancy. Panic disorder in pregnancy if not managed at the earliest will have adverse consequences not only for the mother’s health, but also for the developing fetus. Later the mother child interactions will also be negatively influenced.

Aetiology and Pathogenesis of Panic disorder

The major neurotransmitter systems implicated are those for norepinephrine, serotonin and GABA. The limbic system, the prefrontal cortex as well as the noradrenergic neurons of locus ceruleus and the serotonergic neurons of the median raphe nucleus are responsible for the generation of panic attacks. The autonomic nervous system of patients with panic disorder has been reported to exhibit increased sympathetic tone and to respond excessively to emotional stimuli.
Psychoanalytic theories conceptualize panic attacks as arising from an unsuccessful defense against anxiety provoking impulses. Psychodynamic exploration of patients with panic disorder frequently reveals a clear psychological trigger for the panic attacks. The pathogenesis of panic attacks is related to neurophysiologic factors triggered by the emotional problems.

Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Panic Disorder

Panic attack is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four or more of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach the peak with in 10 minutes.
• Palpitation
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Sensation of shortness of breath
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or chest discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feeling dizzy or unsteady
• Derealisation or depersonalization.
• Fear of losing control
• Fear of dying
• Chills or hot flushes
Panic disorder is diagnosed when a person develops recurrent unexpected panic attacks and has persistent concern about having additional attacks.

Course and Prognosis of Panic disorder

Panic disorder has its onset during late adolescence. If not managed at the earliest it can have a chronic relapsing course. Patient with good premorbid functioning and a brief duration of symptoms tend to have good prognosis.

Treatment of Panic Disorder

Pharmacotherapy can have adverse effect on fetal growth. Hence the preferred treatment for panic disorder in pregnancy is psychological therapy. Several studies have shown that cognitive behavior therapy is effective in producing long lasting remission of symptoms in panic disorder. Relaxation therapy, insight oriented psychotherapy and family therapy are also effectively used in the management of panic disorder in pregnancy. Early diagnosis and management will also help in preventing further panic attacks. Through Life Skills Training to manage the emotional stressors of pregnant women, we can improve maternal health which in turn will lead to better mother child bonding in future life.

Conclusion

Women are at increased risk for panic disorder. Pregnancy contributes to the preponderance of vulnerability to panic disorder. Untreated panic disorder will have far reaching detrimental effects on maternal and child health. Hence panic disorder in pregnancy should be diagnosed and managed scientifically at the earliest. Psychological therapies have an important role in the management of panic disorder in pregnant women.