Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when fear or anxiety are chronic, persistent, and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical issues out that might be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health specialist will be able to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone feels anxious at times There are good reasons to be concerned about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. If the worry is continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience anxiety-like feelings that can affect their whole lives and are often hard to manage. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can become major problems. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it typically begins in adolescence or childhood however, it can also occur at any time. It is twice as common for women and those who are assigned to females at birth as men.

GAD can cause physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches. panic anxiety disorder can make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can affect social and work activities. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed however treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain may also play in.

While there is no cure for GAD however, it can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses different methods that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your fear by confronting them. The use of medicines can ease certain physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to get assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective because it helps you 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 intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they’re experiencing are symptoms of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be caused by brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events, are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are not rational. This can create difficulties in social situations at work, at home or in school. In addition, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding everyday tasks, such as work responsibilities or family issues. They may also be irritable and fatigued, or have trouble concentration. They may also worry about their own security or that of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the amount of panic attacks you experience. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations, the social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with normal life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It is usually manifested as anxiety over specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on dates, or it may be more generalized and include the avoidance of situations that could cause being considered unpopular by other people.

The person with SAD may realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long run. They may also develop “safety behavior” to reduce their anxiety. For instance drinking alcohol, avoid talking to others, or avoid eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD might benefit from medication along with psychological therapy. Antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

It’s important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and talk with a trained crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is impeded due to an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different kinds of anxiety disorders so that you can be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you’re not sure if you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician 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 of one or more objects, situations like animals, animals, or people. These fears are often not proportional to the danger that the object or event creates, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt daily functioning. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation could include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. This condition is prevalent throughout the world most often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears however, the fear is still very real.

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

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They may then move on to look at pictures of it, walking near an elevator, holding a toy, visiting a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. While this type of therapy does not cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.