Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are extreme or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.

First, consult your doctor to rule any physical conditions out that might be causing symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the kind of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every from time to time, and there can be legitimate reasons to worry about things such as job responsibility, health, or financial. However, if the worries become constant and overtake your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often hard to control. They tend to think that they are the worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually starts in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in men.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can affect the activities of work and social life. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorder getting worse disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is various treatments that teach you to identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and reduce your fears by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness could be relieved by medications. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to identify however, it is important to seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to control the anxiety and physical symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated, sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They are concerned that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs of heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

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

People who have anxiety disorders can be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears are not rational. This can lead to issues in social settings at work, at home or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also have muscle tension, irritability and trouble concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as job responsibilities or family problems. They might also feel anxious and fatigued, or have trouble in concentrating. They may also worry about their own security or that of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medication psychotherapy, psychotherapy, and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best medication for anxiety disorder treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your worries and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Although many people feel shy or nervous in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with everyday life activities. It can be present in early adulthood, but it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It can manifest itself as treating anxiety disorders in particular social situations such as speaking in class or going out for date. Or it may be more widespread and involve the need to avoid situations that could result in being considered a failure.

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 situations that cause anxiety, but this can make them feel even more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance, they might drink alcohol, avoid talking to others or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few people with SAD benefit from medication. These medications, known as antidepressants, may aid in balancing 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 seek treatment. The condition can be debilitating when left untreated, and could result in other mental health issues, such as addiction and depression. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 and speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders can be treated however, only 1 out of four people who require treatment receive it. Barriers to getting treatment include ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider knows the different types of anxiety disorders types anxiety disorders, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific phobias

A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects or situations, animals, or other people. These fears may be unrelated to the threat that the object or situation however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Particular phobias differ from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they are triggered by only one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. This is a common occurrence and is more common in males than women, and can 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 outgrow them, but if the phobia persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based upon the reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that could be similar like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a phobia. In earlier editions of the DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options Meds For Social Anxiety Disorder certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at photos of the subject, taking a step toward it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. Although this type of therapy does not solve phobias however it can greatly reduce the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat certain phobias. People with specific phobias who take these treatments often report improved outcomes.