Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fears at times, but if these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication, psychotherapy or talk therapy.

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every now and then There are legitimate reasons to worry about issues like work obligations, health or money. When the worry 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 impact the entire life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will develop into major catastrophes. GAD can be experienced by anyone, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence, but can occur at any age. It is twice as common in women and those assigned to females at birth as men.

GAD can cause physical problems such as headaches or stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can hinder work and social activities. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can aid in managing both disorders.

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is not known but they appear to be linked to genetics and changes in brain structure, which affect the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain also plays a part.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes various therapies that help you identify and modify unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of therapy that can help you manage your thoughts that are untrue and lessen your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be relieved by medications. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medicines to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to diagnose, but it is important to seek help if your worrying or other symptoms of the disorder are noticeable. Early treatment is more effective because it helps you control the physical and mental symptoms before they begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is marked by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). People with this disorder may also feel chest discomfort, shortness of breath or the sensation that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They worry that the symptoms they're experiencing are signs of heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health issues such asthma or hyperthyroidism.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't fully understood however, experts believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be due to brain circuits that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that life experiences, genetics like childhood abuse or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative who suffers from the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel anxious all the time even though they know their fears are irrational. This can create problems in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some sufferers of anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eating properly. They may also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder might be concerned about a variety of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family issues. They may also feel restless and fatigued, or have difficulty concentrating. They might also be concerned about their safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments available for anxiety disorder can Be cured disorders. The treatments include medicine, psychotherapy, and complementary health methods. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the best anxiety disorder treatment treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your seasonal anxiety disorder and reduce the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are a variety of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious condition that can interfere with daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in childhood, but can be present in the early years of adulthood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, like speaking in class or going on dates, or it may be more generalized and involve avoiding any situation that might cause being perceived as a failure by others.

While the person with SAD recognizes that their fear is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding the anxiety-provoking situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long run. They might also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others, or avoid eye contact.

Certain people suffering from SAD may benefit from medication in addition to psychotherapy. 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).

It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they suffer from social anxiety disorder. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable but only one of 4 people who require care receive it. The main barriers to treatment are ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different types of anxiety disorders quotes disorders so that you can be appropriately diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person who is afflicted with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be unrelated to the danger posed by the object or circumstance, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders in that they cause anxiety around one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could include anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or crowds. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and is more likely to begin in childhood or adolescence. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded, but this knowledge does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually overcome them. However, if the phobia persists in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of the DSM adults were required to acknowledge their fears that were irrational in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary meds for social anxiety disorder 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 reactions to fear. Exposure-based treatment involves gradual and systematic exposure of the subject or event that you are afraid of. Patients may begin by thinking about the object or situation before moving on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking through an elevator) or holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and finally riding in a crowded elevator. Although this kind of therapy cannot alleviate phobias but it can dramatically decrease the severity of its symptoms.

Other treatment options for specific fears include medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. People with specific phobias that take these treatments often have better results.