Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety are constant, chronic and interfere with daily life. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, consult your doctor to rule any physical conditions out that could be causing symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times and there are a variety of good reasons to worry about things like job obligations and financial obligations, as well as health. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by fear and anxiety that can impact the entire life of a person. They tend to expect the worst and assume that minor problems will turn into major catastrophes. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually starts in the adolescent years or early childhood, but can occur at any age. It is twice as prevalent among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can affect social and work activities. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to experience depression however treatment can aid in managing both disorders.

While the exact cause is unknown but it is clear that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact the body’s response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several therapies that help you recognize and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your fear by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to seek out help if you notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. It is much easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before anxiety and physical symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of intense fear and terror that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also suffer from chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart beats or is fluttering (“heart palpitations”). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of heart attacks. 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 are caused by a variety of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that regulate the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as trauma or abuse in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are not rational. This can lead to problems in social situations at work, at home or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about daily tasks, like the demands of their job or family issues. They’re also likely to be tired or irritable 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 disorder s. The treatments include medicine psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Talk disorders anxiety or psychotherapy can help you cope with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done in groups or individually.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but can also appear in early adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety over specific social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going out on dates, or it could be more generalized and involve avoidance of any situation that could result in being judged by other people.

When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is unfounded, they feel powerless to overcome it. 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 ease their anxiety. For example, they might drink alcohol, remain silent, or avoid eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, 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).

It’s important that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider knows the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor should refer you to an expert in mental health when you’re unsure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person who has a specific phobia experiences persistent and intense fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. These fears are often not proportional to the dangers that the object or event presents, but they may cause distress and hinder everyday functioning. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders because they cause anxiety around a single stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may include anything from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or crowds. This is a common occurrence, more often in men than women, and can begin in childhood or early adolescence. Certain phobias aren’t irrational fears, but the fear remains real.

Children with specific fears usually outgrow them. However when the fear persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on the daily activities. They rule out other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the fear. In past DSM editions, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at photos of the subject, taking an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. While this type of therapy cannot cure a phobia, it can significantly reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Other treatment options for specific phobias include medications, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety psychotherapy and other drugs. These treatments are generally reported to be effective for people with phobias specific to them.