Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if the feelings are intense or persistent and disrupt your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, consult your physician to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every at times, and there can be good reasons to be concerned about things like job obligations, health or money. If the worry is constant and consumes your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have feelings of dread that affect their whole lives and are often hard to manage. They are prone to anticipate the worst and assume that minor issues will turn into major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually starts in the adolescent years or early childhood but can occur at any point. It is twice as common in women and those deemed female at birth as in males.

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, cause people to withdraw from friends or family and lead to the loss of self-esteem. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both conditions.

The root of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved as well.

While there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, includes a variety of methods that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of talk therapy that will help you learn to control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and decrease your fear by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and certain medications used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is a difficult condition to recognize and treat, but you should seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective, since it lets you manage your anxiety and physical symptoms before they become a major part of your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within a matter of minutes. The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms could be a sign of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical what causes anxiety disorders of anxiety disorder. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly anxious, even when they realize their fears aren't rational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders experience difficulties sleeping or eating well. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder what is anxiety panic disorder likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They often worry about the safety of themselves or others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the Best Drug For Generalized Anxiety Disorder treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you manage anxiety and lessen anxiety attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy options available, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response prevention. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with daily life. It causes of anxiety disorder intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but can also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in particular social situations, such as speaking in class or going out for date. It could also be more widespread and involve avoiding all situations that could lead to being assessed.

Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel powerless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.

Some people with SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. These medications, known as antidepressants, may aid in balancing 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 is essential that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 and speak with an experienced crisis counselor.

One in four people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider understands the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who suffers from a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears could be insignificant to the threat that the object or situation however they can cause significant anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they involve anxiety about one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or even overcrowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more common for women than men, and tends to begin in the adolescent years or early childhood. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are unfounded but this does not lessen the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically get over them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on daily function. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In the past DSM editions, patients of adult age were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy concentrates on changing the way people react to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the feared subject or event. The patient might begin by imagining the object or the situation. They may then go on to see images of it, walking near an elevator, playing with an object, visiting an animal park and viewing real snakes, before experiencing a busy lift. Although this type of therapy is not able to cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific fears. People suffering from specific phobias who test these therapies often experience better outcomes.