Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medications are effective treatments.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times, and there are many good reasons to worry about things like work responsibilities and financial obligations, as well as health. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have fears that affect their whole lives and can be difficult to manage. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone, and it typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with work and social activities. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a greater risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body responds to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play in.

While there is no cure for GAD it is manageable with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of therapies that help you recognize and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medicines 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 simpler to treat it when you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated episodes of extreme terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). People who have this disorder may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart beats or is it is fluttering (“heart palpitations”). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of a heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn’t well understood, but researchers believe that they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative with the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know their fears are irrational. This can lead to issues in social settings, at work or in school. In addition, many people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentration.

A person with generalized anxious disorder may worry about a variety of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family issues. They may also feel tired or irritable as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves and others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can hinder daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually starts in the early years of childhood, but it can be present in the early years of adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in specific social situations such as speaking in class or going out for date. It can also be more widespread and involve avoiding all situations that could lead to being assessed.

The person with SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them feel even more anxious. They may also develop “safety behavior” to try to lessen their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoid eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, can help to regulate the levels of 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 get treatment. The disorder can be life-threatening if left untreated and can cause mental health issues like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types anxiety disorders , to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person with specific phobia experiences persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or other people. These fears are often not proportional to the danger that the object or event poses, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt everyday functioning. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything, from dogs to heights, flying to injections and areas that are crowded. This condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more common in males than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are unfounded but this doesn’t diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually get over them, but if a fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect the daily activities. Before determining a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In previous DSM editions, adult patients needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition states that it is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on altering the way people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier ways to cope. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and systematic exposure to the object or circumstance. The patient might begin by imagining the object or event. They may then go on to seeing pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with a toy, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, before riding a crowded lift. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it may decrease the intensity.

Other treatment options for specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. These treatments are generally considered to be effective by those with specific phobias.