Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are severe or persistent and disrupt daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, talk therapy or psychotherapy.

First, consult your doctor to rule out any physical conditions 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

Everyone is anxious every now and then and there are legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterised by dread and anxiety that can affect the whole life of a person. They are prone to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually starts in the adolescent years or early childhood however, it can also occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to females at birth as males.

GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with work and social activities. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

The root of anxiety disorders is unclear however, they are caused by genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role as well.

While there is no cure for GAD it can be managed with psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is different methods that help you recognize and alter negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you control your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your fear by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be cured by taking medications. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify, but it is important to seek help if you notice worrying and other signs of the disorder. It is much easier to treat when you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of fear and terror (panic attacks) which peak within minutes. People who have this disorder may also suffer from chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is beating or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms may be signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression or other health problems like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as traumatizing events in childhood are the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the condition.

People suffering from anxiety disorders may be worried all the time, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. People with anxiety disorders may also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties concentrating.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They're also likely to be exhausted or restless as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves and others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder social anxiety that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best medicine for social anxiety disorder treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you have. There are a variety of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations, social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with normal life activities. It can appear in early adulthood, but it typically begins in childhood. It usually manifests as a fear of certain social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going out on date, but it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could cause being considered unpopular by other people.

While the person with SAD recognizes that their fear is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to to reduce anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoid eye contact.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking medication in addition to psychotherapy. 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).

If you or someone you know has social anxiety disorder, it's essential to get treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating, and can lead to other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone else you know has suicidal feelings call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable, but only about 1 out of four people who require care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Ask your doctor to refer 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 with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears could be insignificant to the risk that the object or situation however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they are triggered by a single stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared could be anything from heights to dogs to flying to injections to overcrowded spaces. This is a common occurrence and is more common in males than women, and is more likely to begin in childhood or early adolescence. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are irrational, but this knowledge doesn't diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, but if a anxiety persists in adults it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining symptoms and how they affect daily functioning. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer needed for adults.

There are two types of treatment cbt for social anxiety disorder specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people better coping mechanisms and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and systematic exposure to the feared subject or event. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or event before moving on to looking at images of the subject, taking a step toward it (such as walking by an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and then taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. While this type of therapy cannot solve phobias but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medication such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs what are the anxiety disorders also options to treat specific phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who try these therapies frequently report improved outcomes.