Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and interfere with your daily routine. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, consult your doctor to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious at times and there are many good reasons for worrying about things like job responsibilities or money, or health. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often difficult to control. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood however it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with social and work activities. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help to manage both conditions.
Although the exact cause is unknown, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter your body's response to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain plays a part.
Although there isn't a cure for GAD it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises a range of treatments that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness can be relieved by medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to recognize however, you should seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is much easier to treat by seeking assistance early, before anxiety and physical symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, extreme terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues such asthma or hyperthyroidism.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some research suggests they may be due to brain circuits that regulate emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even when they realize their fears aren't rational. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, at work or at school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They might also suffer from tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a variety of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family problems. They're also likely to be restless or easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. They also often worry about the safety of themselves and others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. disorders anxiety can help you determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you have. There are a variety of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but can also appear in early adulthood. It usually manifests as anxiety over specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on a date, or it may be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could result in being considered unpopular by others.
The person with SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others, or avoid eye contact.
Certain people with SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, aid in balancing the levels of 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 get treatment. The condition can be fatal if not treated and may cause mental health issues, such as depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.
Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider understands the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are often out of proportion with the risk that the object or situation presents, but they may cause distress and interfere in daily functioning. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they cause anxiety around a single stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation could be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often for women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are irrational however this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children with phobias that are specific to them usually get over them. However, if the phobia persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on everyday functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that could be similar like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder before diagnosing the phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to recognize their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event that you are afraid of. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or event and then move to looking at pictures of the subject, taking steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally being in a noisy elevator. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it could reduce its intensity.
Other options for treating specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective for people with phobias specific to them.