Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety are excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medications are effective treatments.

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every from time to time and there are good reasons to be concerned about issues like work responsibilities, health or money. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you could be suffering from a more serious disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by dread and anxiety that can affect a person’s entire life. They tend to think that they are the worst and that minor problems can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually begins in adolescence or childhood however it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned female at birth as in men.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with work and social activities, leading people to withdraw from family or friends, and contribute to the loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at greater chance of developing depression. However treatment can help manage both conditions.

Although the exact cause of anxiety isn’t known but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that alter the body’s response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays an important role.

Although there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises a range of therapies that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that will assist you in overcoming your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be alleviated by medication. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines, as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD is difficult to identify and treat, but you should seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. It is simpler to treat it if you seek help early, before the physical and mental symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within a matter of minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as 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 may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics such as childhood abuse, or traumatic events are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders can feel worried constantly even though they know that their fears are unfounded. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a myriad of daily tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family issues. They might also feel anxious and tired, or have difficulty in concentrating. They may also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to manage your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you experience. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed in groups or individually.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with everyday life activities. It usually starts in childhood, but can also appear in early adulthood. It usually manifests as anxiety about specific social situations, like having a conversation in class or going out on a date, or it could be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could cause being considered unpopular by other people.

The person with SAD may recognize that their fear is irrational but feel helpless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them more anxious. They may also adopt “safety behavior” to help reduce their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and not making eye contact.

Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication along with psychological therapy. These antidepressants can help regulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety disorder. The condition can be fatal if left untreated and can cause other mental health problems like depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with an experienced crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable but only one of 4 people who require treatment receive it. The main barriers to treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It’s also crucial to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you’re not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or use 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 could be insignificant to the threat of the object or situation but they can cause severe distress and interfere with functioning in daily life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they are triggered by one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or even crowds. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not irrational fears but the fear remains real.

Children with specific fears usually get over them. However in the event that the fear persists into adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. They rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the fear. In previous editions of the DSM, adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way people respond to their fears and helps them develop healthier ways to cope. The treatment is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure to the subject or event that you are afraid of. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at images of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it can reduce its intensity.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options for treating certain phobias. These therapies are often proven to be effective by those with specific phobias.