Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or continue to reoccur and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medications are effective treatments.
First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the
type of anxiety disorder you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and there are many valid reasons to be worried about things such as job obligations or money, or health. If the worry is continuous and engulfs your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder, also known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by fear and anxiety that
can anxiety disorders go away alter the whole life of a person. They tend to assume the worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also interfere with social and work-related activities, cause people to withdraw from families or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.
The root of anxiety disorders is unclear, they appear to be caused by genetics and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body reacts to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain also plays a part.
GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy comprises various therapies that help you recognize and change unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can help you learn to control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and reduce your fears by confronting them. Some physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and some medicines used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek help if you notice worrying and other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you control the physical and emotional symptoms before they begin to take over your life.
Panic disorder
This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated episodes of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart beats or is it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They frequently worry that their symptoms may be signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't well understood however, researchers believe they are caused by a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety issues have a first degree family member who suffers from the condition.
People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious constantly, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can result in difficulties in social situations, at work or at school. In addition, many people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They might also feel anxious, easily fatigued or have trouble in concentrating. They might also worry about their security or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can assist you to identify which disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and lessen panic attacks. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be done individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, however it usually starts in childhood. It can manifest as anxiety in certain social situations such as speaking in class or going out on a date. It could also be more widespread and involve the need to avoid situations that could lead to being considered a failure.
Although the person suffering from SAD recognizes that their fear is unfounded, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding stressful situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety.
best meds for anxiety disorders instance drinking alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.
Certain people with SAD might benefit from medication in addition to psychological treatment. These antidepressants can help balance certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Some examples of these medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like depression or substance abuse. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to talk to an emergency counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. Treatment is impeded due to the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider knows the various types of anxiety disorders, so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor to refer to a mental health professional in case you're not sure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.
Specific fears
A person who has a specific fear has a constant and a heightened 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 circumstance, however they can cause significant anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they involve anxiety about a single stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or even crowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more common among women than men and tends to begin in the adolescent years or early childhood. Certain phobias aren't just unfounded fears but the fear remains real.
Children who have phobias that are specific usually outgrow them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms such as agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In the past DSM editions, adult patients had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition says this is no longer required for adults.
There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reaction to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation, then move on to looking at images of the subject, then taking an action towards it (such as walking past an elevator), holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally riding in a crowded elevator. This type of therapy may not be able to eliminate a fear, but it could reduce its intensity.
Other options for treating specific phobias include medications, like antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People suffering from specific phobias who test these therapies often report improved outcomes.
