Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but when these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and there are a variety of good reasons to worry about things like job obligations or money, or health. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD have feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often difficult to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any time. It is twice as common for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, cause people to avoid family or friends and cause an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain plays in.

Although there isn't a cure for GAD it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several therapies that help you recognize and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you control your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek help if you are experiencing anxiety and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective as it allows you to reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart is beating or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms may be signs of heart attacks. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorder. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can lead to problems in social situations, at work or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentration.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a variety of daily tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have difficulty concentration. They may also worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the best general anxiety disorder medication treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are anxious or shy in certain situations, the 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 can manifest itself as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out for dates. It can also be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being judged.

Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel powerless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long run. They may also develop "safety behaviors" to try to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoiding eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few people suffering from SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters inside 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 if they suffer from social anxiety. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone else you know has suicidal feelings, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to talk to an emergency counselor.

One in four sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services and stigma. It's also important to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific phobia experiences persistent and a heightened fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the risk that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder daily functioning. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they are triggered by one stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world, more often in men than women, and tends to start in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears however, the fear remains real.

Children who have specific fears typically overcome them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms 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 the past DSM editions, adults were required to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition states that it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them healthier ways to cope. 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 event and then move to looking at pictures of the subject, taking a step toward it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes and finally being in a noisy elevator. Although this type of therapy does not solve phobias, it can significantly decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Other treatment options Cbt For Generalized Anxiety Disorder specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These therapies are often proven to be effective for people who suffer from specific phobias.