Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels 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, talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety from time to time and there are legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibility, health, or money. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by feelings of dread and anxiety that can impact the whole life of a person. They tend to expect the worst or assume that minor problems will develop into major problems. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and typically begins in childhood or adolescence however, it can also occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, leading people to avoid families or friends and cause an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater risk of depression. However treatment can help manage both conditions.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known, they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play in.
Although there is no cure for GAD it is manageable with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is different methods that help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your anxiety by confronting them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness could be alleviated by medication. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is difficult to recognize however, it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is easier to treat if you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated, sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The sufferers may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or feeling like their heart beats or is flaring ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing are signs of heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at increased risk of depression or other health problems, such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, experts believe that they are caused by a combination of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be caused by brain circuits that regulate fear and emotion. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like traumatizing events in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree family member who suffers from the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly anxious, even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can lead to issues in social settings at work, or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also have tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder might be concerned about a myriad of everyday tasks such as work responsibilities and family problems. They might also feel anxious, easily fatigued or have trouble concentration. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health techniques. A mental health professional will assist you in identifying the condition that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you deal with anxiety and lessen anxiety attacks. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, social anxiety disorder causes such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with daily life routines. It typically begins in childhood, but may also appear in early adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out on dates. It can also be more widespread, and include avoidance of all situations that could lead to being judged.
Although the person suffering from SAD recognizes that their fear is unfounded, they are unable to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long term. They may also develop "safety behaviors" to help reduce anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, staying silent and avoiding eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medication. These medications, also known as antidepressants, help to regulate the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It is crucial that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety. The disorder can be life-threatening when left untreated, and could result in other mental health issues like depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.
One in four people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.
Specific Phobias
A person with a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear for one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears could be insignificant to the threat posed by the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often in women than men, and it tends to start in the adolescent years or early childhood. Specific phobias are not unfounded fears but the fear remains real.
Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However, if the phobia persists as an adult it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and how they affect the way they function in their daily lives. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In the past DSM editions, adult patients needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people healthier strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. generalized anxiety disorder symptoms is based on exposure, which involves gradual and systematic exposure of the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or event before moving on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and finally being in a noisy elevator. This kind of therapy might not cure a fear, but it can reduce its intensity.
Psychotherapy and medicines 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.