Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are excessive, persistent and interfere with your daily routine. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

Every person experiences anxiety from time to time and there are good reasons to be concerned about issues like work responsibilities, health or financial. When the worry becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD sufferers experience feelings of dread that have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to control. They tend to think that they are the worst and believe that minor issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone. It typically begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any time. It is twice as common in women and those born female.

GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can also hinder work and social activities, leading people to withdraw from friends or family and cause a loss of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed however treatment can help treat both disorders.

The root of anxiety disorders is unknown, they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes various treatments that help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your fear by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medicines used to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to get help if you notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to manage your physical and mental symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorders meaning disorder is characterised by intense, sudden feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within a matter of minutes. People who have this disorder may also experience chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart is beating or fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they what are the anxiety disorders experiencing are symptoms of a heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be more susceptible to depression or other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood are typical causes of anxiety disorders. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree family member who suffers from the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even when they realize that their fears are not rational. This can lead to difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also experience muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They may also be irritable and tired, or have trouble concentrating. They might also be concerned about their safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments for generalised anxiety disorder disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health methods. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest the right treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to deal with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are many types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed in groups or individually.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are shy or nervous in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder Causes Of Anxiety Disorder such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with normal life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but can be present in the early years of adulthood. It usually manifests as anxiety about specific social situations, like talking in class or going out on date, but it could be more generalized, and include the avoidance of situations that could cause being considered unpopular by others.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded but feel helpless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding anxiety-provoking situations, but this increases their anxiety in the long term. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, remain silent, or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, some patients with SAD benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters inside 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 suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to seek treatment. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings call 911, your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.

Only 1 in 4 sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be treated and diagnosed appropriately. If you're unsure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person who is afflicted with a particular fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or other people. These fears may be out of proportion to the threat that the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they are triggered by a single stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia may be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or even crowds. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often in women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unreasonable fears however, the fear is still very real.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically get over them, however if a fear persists in adults, it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on the way they function in their daily lives. Before diagnosing a phobia, doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In past DSM editions, patients of adult age needed to recognize their irrational fear as part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says this is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. The treatment is based on exposure, which 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 situation, then move on to looking at photos of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. This type of therapy may not cure a fear, but it could reduce the intensity.

Other options for treating certain fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.