Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but when the feelings are intense or continue to reoccur and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, visit your doctor to determine if there are any physical issues that might be the cause of your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious every at times, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things such as job obligations, health or money. If the worry is continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have anxiety-like feelings that can have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to manage. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned female at birth as in males.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with the activities of work and social life. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed However, treatment can help manage both disorders.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown however, they are caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that affect how your body responds to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play a part.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, encompasses different therapies that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by engaging them. Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines, as well as some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek assistance if you begin to notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective since it lets you control the anxiety and physical symptoms before they become a major part of your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of fear and terror (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. People who have this disorder may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and could be at increased risk of depression or other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some studies suggest that they may be related to faulty brain circuits that control fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears aren't rational. This can result in difficulties in social situations, work or school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and trouble concentrating.
A person with generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family issues. They might also feel anxious and fatigued, or have difficulty concentration. They might also be concerned about their own security 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 will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with daily life. It can cause intense anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but can be present in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on a date, or it could be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might cause being judged by others.
When someone with SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still are unable to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to lessen their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some sufferers who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, can help balance the levels of some 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 important to get treatment. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues such as addiction or depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings, call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable but only one in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Treatment is hindered by an absence of awareness of anxiety disorders, low funding for mental health services and stigma. It is essential that your healthcare provider understands the various types of anxiety disorders, to ensure you receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person who is afflicted with a particular fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are usually not proportional to the dangers that the object or circumstance presents, but they may cause distress and hinder the daily activities of. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of only one stimulus instead of multiple stimuli. anxiety disorders types of the phobia could be anything, from heights to dogs as well as injections, flying, and the crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent for women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. Certain phobias aren't just irrational fears but the fear is real.
Children with phobias that are specific to them usually outgrow them. However when the fear persists into adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They exclude other conditions that could be similar like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the fear. In the past DSM editions, patients of adult age had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way people respond to their fears and teaches them better coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the feared object or circumstance. The patient may begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They can then proceed to look at pictures of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with toys, going to the zoo, and looking at real snakes, before taking a ride in a crowded elevator. This kind of therapy might not cure a fear, but it could decrease the intensity.
Psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific phobias. People with specific phobias who try these therapies frequently have better results.