Types of Anxiety Disorders

People suffering from anxiety disorders have trouble concentrating and can become anxious. They also have a higher chance of depression and some health conditions, like thyroid problems.

A few times of anxiety are normal for instance, prior to taking an exam or moving into the new location. But when it becomes constant and overwhelming, you may require treatment. Most anxiety disorders respond well to psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point and this is a normal part of responding to psychological or physical stress. For instance, if you notice a car speeding towards you your natural fear or anxiety response helps to keep you safe by activating the “fight or flight” response: your heart beats faster, blood flows to your muscles and you breathe harder and your body gets anxious in the event that you need to run away from danger or fight against threats. However there are those who are plagued by excessive worrying that seems difficult to manage. This kind of worry can be detrimental if it keeps you from engaging in your normal daily activities and if it interferes with relationships, work or school. This condition is known as generalized anxiety disorder.

GAD can affect people of any age but it is more common in children and adolescents. It can persist throughout adulthood. It is more common in women than men. People who suffer from GAD typically have other psychiatric disorders, such as dysthymia or depression (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs.

Psychotherapy and medication are usually used to treat anxiety disorders. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy can help you understand how to manage your symptoms. Finding a therapist with expertise in anxiety disorders could be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective kind of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you how to combat the distortions in your mind and uses relaxation techniques.

Medications to treat anxiety are generally used as short-term treatments for anxiety. Effexor Duloxetine, XR (Cymbalta), and escitalopram are all effective antidepressants. Discuss with your doctor about these medications prior to starting treatment.

Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) creates a sense of anxiety and apprehension in social situations. You might feel like you’re not able to speak in front of others or that they are looking at you from afar. Certain people suffering from this disorder are so worried that they avoid social situations. Others who suffer from this disorder suffer from selective mutism. This means that they only seem to be scared of certain situations, such as eating or speaking in front of strangers.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessions are uncontrollable and unwelcome thoughts or images which keep returning to your mind and can cause stress or anxiety. Compulsions may be behaviors like washing, checking or counting that you feel compelled to alleviate anxiety or distress brought on by an obsession. People suffering from OCD typically have both obsessions and compulsions that can consume the majority of their time and interfere with daily activities such as relationships, work and family.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a problem for women, men and children of all different ages. It can start in the early years of life, but symptoms are most likely to develop during puberty or early adulthood. The specific cause of OCD isn’t known however, it is believed that the activity in certain areas of the brain isn’t normal. It could be due to an imbalance of the chemical serotonin, which affects your mood. A strong genetic component may also be present. If one or more members of your family has OCD, you are about 25% more likely to develop it.

OCD patients are often left incapable of stopping their obsessions and compulsions. They don’t enjoy doing their compulsions, and they know they’re wrong, yet they believe they have to act in order to prevent bad things from happening or to escape or relieve the stress that their obsessive thoughts create.

While obsessions and compulsions are difficult to overcome, there are a variety of treatments available that can aid. Psychological treatment, like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can help to reduce OCD symptoms for the majority of people. In ERP therapy, a therapist gradually exposes you to the things or situations that trigger your obsessive thoughts, such as touching dirty objects, and helps you resist acting on your impulsive actions (for example, hand-washing) in order that anxiety decreases over time.

SSRIs are often prescribed to patients suffering from OCD. These are medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Other types of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based and behavioural therapies, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to let go of your obsessional thoughts and takes away the power they exert over you, while meditation and relaxation techniques can help you reduce stress.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder (PD) is defined by frequent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach a peak within minutes and include symptoms such as pounding heart, sweating, trembling, chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling of imminent death, and the feeling that one is suffering from a heart attack. These episodes can happen after frightening experiences, or they can be spontaneous and unexpected. People with PD are also constantly concerned about the possibility of panic attacks in the future, and avoid situations that they believe could trigger one.

Like other anxiety disorders, PD can cause significant distress and impact the daily routine. Men and women are equally affected, but the condition is more prevalent among those who have been through a traumatic event. It is also more likely to happen in people with an extended family history of depression or anxiety.

Although there is highly effective treatment available however, only 1 in 4 of those who require treatment are treated. The lack of awareness of anxiety disorders, the poor access to mental health services, and the stigma associated with seeking help are all barriers to care.

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder often mimic those of other illnesses like hyperthyroidism or heart diseases. It is therefore important to see a doctor for an assessment and diagnosis. After determining if there is a physical cause, a certified mental health professional can suggest specific treatment options.

Although the causes of anxiety disorder aren’t completely understood, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a part. Anxiety disorders can run in families, and tend to be diagnosed earlier in people who have an ancestral history of them. There are also many risk factors that can cause anxiety disorders, including childhood abuse or smoking. Certain medications can cause anxiety, especially benzodiazepines such as diazepam or Valium. Antidepressants like SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants can alleviate anxiety, as do beta-blockers used to treat heart conditions. Becoming aware of the different types of anxiety disorders and gaining knowledge about treatment can help you manage your symptoms and lessen stress in daily life.

Social Anxiety Disorder

People suffering from social anxiety disorder have persistent and intense fears of being in public or with other people. They fear that they will be judged negatively and may be smacked of or rejected. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that include heartbeats that are rapid as well as sweating and trembling. Their anxiety about social situations can create problems in the workplace or in relationships. The disorder can cause other mental disorders, including addiction or depression.

The treatment for this condition is psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This helps to teach alternative ways of thinking and reduces anxiety. It helps the person recognize that their fears are not in proportion to the real threat and that they have control over the way they behave and react. Another method that works is exposure therapy or cognitive delivered exposure. It involves gradually exposing the patient to situations that cause their anxiety with the help of a therapist in a safe environment.

Medications are also used to treat social anxiety disorders however they aren’t considered a cure. These include antianxiety medications including antidepressants, beta-blockers, and antidepressants. They are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Research is ongoing to discover the causes behind this condition and identify risk factors. It is known that certain environmental factors and genes can contribute. Furthermore, some studies have found that people with this disorder have a higher than normal response to certain hormones in the body.

It is crucial to seek treatment for anxiety disorders, since they can have a severe impact on people’s lives. A general practitioner or mental health specialist can diagnose anxiety disorders and recommend treatment. It can be difficult to seek assistance, so it could be helpful to involve a family member or friend in arranging an appointment or to attend with an organization or peer.

Some types of anxiety disorders can have a very negative effect on your life and can increase your risk for depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and suicide. Contact an emergency helpline for suicide prevention if you or someone you love is thinking about suicide.