Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety is excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, visit your physician to rule out any physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and there are a variety of good reasons for worrying about things like job responsibility and financial obligations, as well as health. If the worry is constant and takes over your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience anxiety-like feelings that can influence their lives for the rest of their lives and can be difficult to manage. They tend to anticipate the worst or assume that minor issues will turn into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those assigned to be female at birth, as it is in males.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can interfere with work and social activities. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to experience depression However, treatment can help treat both disorders.
While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known, they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may also play an important role.
Although there is no cure for GAD however, it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes different methods that help you identify and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that will help you to understand and control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medicines to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD is a difficult condition to recognize and treat, but you should seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the condition are apparent. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you control the anxiety and physical symptoms before they become a major part of your life.
Panic disorder
The anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.
The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't known however, experts believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics like childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety problems have a first-degree relative who has the disorder.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulty when it comes to social situations, work or school. Additionally, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may be worried about a wide range of daily tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued, have trouble concentrating and often worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to manage your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can hinder daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, however it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It is usually manifested as a fear of certain social situations, such as talking in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.
The person suffering from SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this only makes them more anxious in the long in the long run. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some people suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings, call 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders , low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider understands the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're unsure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or make use of an online tool to screen.
Specific phobias
A person with a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears may be unrelated to the risk that the object or circumstance, however they can cause significant anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and the crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent in women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. Specific phobias are not unreasonable fears, but the fear is still very real.
Children with specific fears usually get over them. However when the fear persists as an adult it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. They rule out other conditions that can be similar like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the fear. In previous DSM editions, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and consistent exposure to the feared object or circumstance. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or event, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and finally being in a noisy elevator. While this type of therapy does not cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These therapies are often considered to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.