Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when anxiety or fear are chronic, persistent, and interfere with daily life. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, see your doctor to determine if there are any physical issues that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then and there are good reasons to worry about issues like work responsibilities, health or money. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be affected by anyone. It typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and in those who are born female.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, causing people to isolate themselves from family or friends and cause a loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression However, treatment can aid in managing both disorders.
While the exact cause of anxiety isn't known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role in the cause.
Although there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes a range of treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy 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 engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is a difficult condition to identify and treat, but you should 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 control the physical and mental symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also experience chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They may be concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some research suggests that they could be linked 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 disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member with the condition.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, at work or school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a variety of everyday tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family issues. They may also feel restless and tired, or have trouble in concentrating. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.
There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you manage anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, such as talking in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by other people.
The person suffering from SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behaviors" to to lessen their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoiding eye contact.
Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. Antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated however, only 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. The main barriers to treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider understands the various forms of anxiety disorders, to ensure you be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to an expert in mental health or use an online screening tool.
Specific Phobias
A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. The fear may be insignificant to the risk that the object or situation however they can cause significant distress and interfere with functioning in everyday life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by only one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may range from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or overcrowded spaces. This is a common occurrence, more often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unfounded fears, but the fear remains real.
Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if a anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect the daily activities. They are able to rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing a phobia. In previous DSM editions, adults needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that it is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better ways to cope. panic anxiety disorder -based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the feared subject or event. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at images of the subject, taking steps towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. Although this type of therapy cannot alleviate phobias however it can greatly reduce the severity of its symptoms.
Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People with specific phobias that try these therapies frequently have better results.