Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, consult your physician to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the kind of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety now and then, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things like job obligations, health or financial. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you may be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined by feelings of dread and anxiety that can alter the entire life of a person. They tend to expect the worst and assume that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it typically begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.
GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, leading people to isolate themselves from families or friends and cause a loss of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed however treatment can help treat both disorders.
While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain may also play in.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a variety of methods that help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is difficult to recognize and treat, but you should seek treatment 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
This anxiety disorder is characterised by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms could be a sign of an attack on their heart. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorder s, as well as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be due to brain circuits that control emotion and fear. panic anxiety disorder suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even when they realize that their fears are unfounded. This can cause problems in social situations at work, or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience a variety of worries about routine tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They're also likely to be restless or easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. Different types of psychotherapy are 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
Social anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect daily life. It causes intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going out for date. It could also be more widespread, and include avoiding all situations that could lead to being judged.
While the person with SAD recognizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance drinking alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some sufferers who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate 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 when they suffer from social anxiety. The disorder can be life-threatening if not treated and may cause other mental health problems like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with an experienced crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're not sure 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 with a specific fear has a consistent and intense fear for one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are usually out of proportion with the danger that the object or event creates, but they can cause distress and hinder daily functioning. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object can be anything, from dogs to heights, flying to injections and the crowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often among women than men and it tends to start in the adolescent years or early childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are irrational, but this knowledge does not lessen the intensity of their symptoms.
Children who suffer from specific phobias typically outgrow them, but if the fear persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Before determining a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation. The patient might begin by imagining the object, or situation. They may then go on to see images of it, walking in front of an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, and finally riding a crowded lift. This kind of therapy might not eliminate fear, but it can decrease the intensity.
Other options for treating specific phobias include medications, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These treatments are generally reported to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.