Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, you should consult your physician to rule any physical ailments out which could be causing your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional can diagnose the type anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times and there are a variety of good reasons for worrying about things like job responsibilities or money, or health. If the worry is constant and takes over your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often hard to control. They are prone to believe that everything is worst and believe that minor issues can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those deemed female at birth as in men.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, including headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work-related activities, leading people to withdraw from family or friends and cause a loss of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the root of anxiety disorders is not known but they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.

Although there isn’t a cure for GAD however, it is manageable through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises various treatments that help you identify and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and reduce your fears by engaging them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, including dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD isn’t easy to identify, but it is important to seek assistance if you begin to notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. It is much easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated episodes of intense fear and terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms could be a sign of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at a higher risk of depression or other health problems like asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn’t well understood, but researchers believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are irrational. This can cause issues in social settings, at work or in school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also have tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of everyday tasks, including job responsibilities and family issues. They may also feel exhausted or restless as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about the safety of themselves or others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you understand how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are a variety of psychotherapy options 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 severe disorder that can affect everyday life. disorders anxiety can cause intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in childhood. It is usually manifested as a fear of certain social situations, such as talking in class or going on dates, or it may be more generalized, and include avoiding any situation that might result in being judged by others.

When someone with SAD realizes that their fear is irrational, they still are unable to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them more anxious. They might also develop “safety behavior” to lessen their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients suffering from SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters in 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 crucial to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to consult with an emergency counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable however, only 1 out of four people who require care receive it. Treatment is hindered by a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low funding for mental health services and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your doctor is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Ask your doctor to refer to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you have an anxiety disorder. You can also use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are often out of proportion with the risk that the object or situation creates, but they can cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around a single stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object could be anything, from dogs to heights as well as injections, flying, and areas that are crowded. This condition is prevalent throughout the world, more 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 but this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually outgrow them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on daily functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In earlier editions of 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 needed for adults.

There are two kinds of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on educating people about healthier strategies for coping and altering their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or situation. The patient may begin by imagining the object, or situation. They can then proceed to look at pictures 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 type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating certain phobias. People with specific phobias who take these treatments often experience better outcomes.