Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but when these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, talk to your doctor to rule any physical ailments out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every from time to time, and there can be good reasons to worry about things like job responsibility, health, or money. If the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They tend to expect the worst and assume that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but can occur at any point. It is twice as common in women and those born female.

GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also hinder work and social activities, causing people to isolate themselves from friends or family and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.

Although the exact cause is unknown, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.

While there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of treatments that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines along with medicines to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is difficult to recognize however, it is important to seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to reduce the physical and mental 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) which peak within a matter of minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't well understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorder. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even when they realize their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulty sleeping or eat well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder Cognitive Behavioral Therapy anxious disorder might be concerned about a wide range of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family problems. They're also likely to be exhausted or restless and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about their safety or that of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in childhood. It may manifest as anxiety in specific social situations like speaking in class or going out on dates. It could also be more widespread and involve avoiding all situations that could result in being considered a failure.

When someone with SAD recognizes that their fear is unfounded, they are unable to overcome it. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long term. They might also develop "safety behaviours" to try to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 and talk with an experienced crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders can be treated but only one of 4 people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders so that you can 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 utilize an online screening tool.

Specific phobias

A person who suffers from a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects or situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are often out of proportion with the danger that the object or situation presents, but they may cause anxiety and disrupt the daily activities of. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they involve anxiety about one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object could be anything from dogs to heights or flying, injections to flying and areas that are crowded. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more prevalent in women than men, and usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are irrational, but this knowledge does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually overcome them. However, if the phobia persists into adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on daily function. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In previous editions of the DSM adults were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on altering the way people respond to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event that you are afraid of. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at images of the subject, taking steps towards it (such as walking by an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This kind of therapy might not cure a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Other options best medicine for generalized anxiety disorder treating specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These treatments are generally proven to be effective by those with phobias specific to them.