Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be identified when anxiety or fear are chronic, persistent, and affecting daily life. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective treatments.

First, see your physician to rule out any physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.

Generalized disorders anxiety and then, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibility, health, or money. However, if the anxieties become constant and take over your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD have anxiety-like feelings that can have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to control. They are prone to believe that everything is worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone. It usually starts in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any time. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to females at birth as males.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect work and social activities, cause people to isolate themselves from friends or family and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help treat both disorders.

Although the exact cause is unknown, it appears that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes in brain structures that affect your body’s response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role too.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses a variety of therapies that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that will help you to understand and control your distorted thinking patterns and reduce your fears by challenging them. Medications can help relieve some of the physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you manage your physical and mental symptoms before they become a major part of your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression or other health issues, such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, like childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a parent with the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious all the time, even when they know that their fears are not rational. This can cause difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. People with anxiety disorders may also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience numerous worries regarding routine tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have trouble concentration. They might also be concerned about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health practices. 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 manage anxiety and lessen panic attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, however it usually starts in the early years of childhood. It usually manifests as a fear of certain social situations, like having a conversation in class or going out on date, but it may be more generalized and include avoidance of any situation that could result in being perceived as a failure by other people.

The person suffering from SAD might realize that their anxiety is unfounded but still feel powerless. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long in the long run. They might also develop “safety behaviours” to help reduce anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, some sufferers who suffer from SAD can benefit from medication. These 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).

If you or someone you know has social anxiety disorder, it’s essential to get treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated, and could cause mental health issues like depression and substance misuse. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and talk with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable but only one out of four people who require care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, a lack of funding for mental health services and stigma. It’s also important to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you’re not sure if you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who suffers from a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear for one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. panic anxiety disorder are usually out of proportion with the risk that the object or circumstance creates, but they can cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may range from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or overcrowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are not rational however this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually get over them, but if the fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and how they affect daily functioning. They rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a fear. In previous DSM editions, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject, taking a step toward it (such as walking by an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it may reduce the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options for treating specific phobias. People with specific phobias that try these therapies frequently report improved outcomes.