Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and affecting daily life. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medications are effective treatments.

First, see your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that might be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and there are many valid reasons to be worried about things like work responsibility, money, or health. When the worry becomes constant and takes over your life, it could be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is characterized by fear and anxiety that can affect the whole life of a person. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can be affected by anyone. It typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but can occur at any time. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in men.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can hinder social and work activities. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help manage the two disorders.

The specific cause of anxiety disorders is not known but they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that alter the way your body reacts to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain plays an important role.

While there is no cure for GAD it can be managed by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of therapies that help you recognize and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of therapy that can help you control your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by confronting them. The use of medicines can ease some physical symptoms, like dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize and is therefore important to seek out help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. It is much easier to treat if you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.

Panic disorder

The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) which peak within a matter of minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and could be at a higher risk of depression or other health problems, such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't well understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they could be related to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate 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. Many people who have an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative who suffers from the condition.

People who have anxiety disorders may be worried constantly, even when they know that their fears are unfounded. This can cause issues in social settings at work, or at school. Additionally, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulty sleeping or eat well. They might also have tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder test anxiety disorder is likely to have numerous worries regarding daily tasks, like job responsibilities or family problems. They're also likely to be restless or easily fatigued as well as having trouble concentrating. They frequently worry about the safety of themselves or 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 discover how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you experience. Several types of psychotherapy are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a serious disorder that can affect daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It usually begins in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It can manifest as anxiety in particular social situations, such as speaking in class or going out for a date. It could also be more widespread and include the need to avoid situations that could lead to being judged.

While the person with SAD realizes that their anxiety is not rational, they feel helpless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this makes them feel even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behaviours" to help reduce their anxiety disorders examples, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients suffering from SAD can benefit from best medication for generalized anxiety disorder. Antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within 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 get treatment. The condition can be debilitating when left untreated, and could cause other mental health problems like addiction and depression. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 and speak to an experienced crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Treatment is impeded by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, a lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential to make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health in case you're not sure if you suffer from anxiety disorders or utilize an online tool to screen.

Specific fears

A person who suffers from a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are usually not proportional to the dangers that the object or situation poses, but they can cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The target of the phobia could be anything, from dogs to heights or flying, injections to flying and the crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and is more prevalent for women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. People with specific phobias know their fears are irrational but this does not diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually outgrow them. However in the event that the fear persists into adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors exclude other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of DSM adults were required to recognize their irrational fears as part of the diagnosis process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required for adults.

Treatment options for specific phobias are cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on educating people about healthier strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy is a gradual and consistent exposure to the object or circumstance. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or event before moving on to looking at images of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking through an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo for a look at real snakes, and then taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. While this type of therapy is not able to cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific fears. These treatments are generally proven to be effective for people with specific phobias.