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a) Anxiety:People with WS tend to be over-anxious and may be easily upset by criticism or frustration, or by events that other people regard as trivial. In some cases anxiety might manifest itself as hypochondria - a tendency to exaggerate everyday aches and pains into serious illness. Anxiety may result from many different situations, but three areas in particular tend to give rise to difficulties: (i) Excessive demands: The typically good verbal abilities of adults with WS may lead others to over-estimate their general ability, which can result in them being placed in situations that are too demanding, for example living arrangements or work settings that lack adequate support. Inappropriate demands can cause individuals to worry excessively and to become anxious or upset. As a result, they may try to get out of doing things by complaining of headaches or tiredness; they may 'escape' stressful situations by having tantrums or being aggressive; they may repeatedly ask for reassurance from others, or simply walk out of the room. If the excessive demands persist, the individual may become withdrawn, lose interest in food, activities and/or relationships, and become depressed. (ii) Change and Uncertainty: Individuals with WS can become anxious when anticipating something new or different from their usual routine (e.g. a visit to the doctor). In the workplace, changes of staff or in the way work is undertaken can be particularly distressing. (iii) Threat: Many individuals with WS have difficulty understanding the complexities of social interactions, and although increasing integration into mainstream society is generally a very positive trend, it is important to be aware that the outside world can also be a hostile and frightening place. Adults with WS can become extremely anxious if they feel that they are being 'picked on' or if someone is behaving in a confusing or threatening way. They can also be very protective of the people they care for (family, supervisors, friends) and can become anxious if they think that someone or something is threatening them in some way. b) Preoccupations:Adults with WS often display intense fascinations and preoccupations with certain objects (e.g. cars, electrical appliances, tools and machinery), particular topics (e.g. disasters and violence in the news, crime, their own health and the health of others, sports, future events such as birthdays or holidays) or an intense interest in particular people (pop-stars, television personalities or people they know - such as a particular neighbor, care giver or supervisor). They may spend a great deal of time absorbed with these topics and talk about them repetitively, without being aware that other people may find this boring or irritating. Intense attachments to particular people may become intrusive and difficult for others to cope with; such overtures should be strictly curtailed. |
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Please send mail to williamssyndrome@insightbb.com with questions or comments about this web site.For additional information about Williams syndrome, please send an e-mail to hlenhoff@uci.edu.For contact with other Williams syndrome families --In the USA: please send e-mail to info@williams-syndrome.orgOutside the USA:
please visit our
International Williams Syndrome Support Groups page for
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