Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but when the feelings are intense or ongoing and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that might be the cause of your symptoms. 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 There are legitimate reasons to worry about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. But when the worries become constant and overtake your life, you may be suffering from a more serious disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD sufferers experience anxiety-like feelings that can influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often hard to manage. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any time. It is twice as prevalent for women and those who are assigned 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 interfere with social and work-related activities, causing people to isolate themselves from families or friends, and contribute to a loss of self-esteem. People with severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However treatment can help to manage both conditions.
The specific cause of anxiety disorders is unclear however, they are linked to genetics and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role in the cause.
While there is no cure for GAD it can be controlled by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes several therapies that help you recognize and modify negative thoughts, emotions and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by challenging them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD is a difficult condition to identify, but you should seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the condition are apparent. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to control the physical and emotional symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
This anxiety disorder is characterised by sudden, intense sensations of terror and fear (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or beating (heart palpitations). They often worry that their symptoms are signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be at increased risk of depression or other health issues such as asthma or hyperthyroidism.
The root cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety issues have a first degree relative who has the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even when they realize their fears are not rational. This can result in difficulties when it comes to social situations, work or school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in concentrating.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as the demands of their job or family issues. They may also feel restless or easily fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. They also frequently worry about the safety of themselves and 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 determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you understand how to deal with your anxieties and decrease the amount of panic attacks you have. Different types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.
panic anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect everyday life. It can cause intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It can appear in the early years of adulthood, but it typically starts in the early years of childhood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going on dates, or it could be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might cause being perceived as a failure by others.
The person with SAD may recognize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them feel even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, stay silent, or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some sufferers with SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help regulate 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 has social anxiety disorder, it's crucial to seek treatment. If not treated, the condition could be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to speak with an experienced crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable however, only 1 out of four people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is hindered by a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider knows the different 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 a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.
Specific phobias
A person who has a specific fear has a constant and a heightened fear of one or more things, situations, animals, or other people. These fears may be insignificant to the threat posed by the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in everyday life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared could be anything from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and the crowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and is more common for women than men, and it tends to start in the adolescent years or early childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are not rational however this does not diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children who have specific fears typically outgrow them. However when the fear persists into adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on the symptoms reported and their impact on everyday functioning. They exclude other conditions that can have similar symptoms like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder prior to diagnosing the phobia. In previous editions of the 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 necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reaction to fear. disorders anxiety -based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure of the object or situation that is feared. A patient may start with thinking about the object or event and then move to looking at images of the subject, taking an action towards it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and finally being in a noisy elevator. Although this kind of therapy is not able to solve phobias however it can greatly reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication are also options for treating certain phobias. People suffering from specific phobias who take these treatments often experience better outcomes.