Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, consult your physician to rule out any physical conditions that could 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 feels anxious at times, and there can be good reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. If the anxiety becomes constant and takes over your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that influence their lives for the rest of their lives and can be difficult to control. They are prone to anticipate the worst and assume that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, leading people to isolate themselves from friends or family, and contribute to a loss of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of developing depression. However treatment can help manage both conditions.

While the specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays a part.

While there is no cure for GAD it can be managed by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises several therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be cured by taking medications. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines and some medicines that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify, but it is important to get help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. It is much easier to treat by seeking help early, before the anxiety and physical symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They often worry that their symptoms may be signs of a heart attack. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at a higher risk of depression or other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events, are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even though they know their fears aren't rational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or school. In addition, many sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to be tired or irritable as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the best drug for anxiety disorder treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be done individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorder can cause such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with daily life routines. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, but it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, such as talking in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being considered unpopular by other people.

Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety disorder test-provoking situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long term. They might also develop "safety behaviors" to help lessen their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, being quiet and not making eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychological treatment. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can help to regulate the levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

If you or someone you know has social anxiety disorder, it's essential to seek treatment. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. If you or someone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 of 4 people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded due to a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific phobias

A person with specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or other people. These fears are usually not proportional to the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and interfere in everyday functioning. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything from dogs to heights, flying to injections and the crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world most often in men than women, and is more likely to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just unreasonable fears however, the fear remains real.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually outgrow them. However, if the phobia persists into adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In previous editions of the DSM adults were required to recognize their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on educating people about healthier strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They can then proceed to see images of it, stepping into an elevator, holding an object, visiting the zoo, and looking at real snakes, and finally riding a crowded lift. This kind of therapy might not eliminate fear, but it can reduce the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medicines like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating specific fears. People suffering from specific phobias who test these therapies often have better results.