Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, visit your doctor to determine if there are any physical issues that might be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health professional can diagnose the type of anxiety disorder that you are suffering from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, and there can be good reasons to be concerned about things like job responsibilities, health or financial. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People suffering from GAD experience feelings of dread that have a profound effect on their lives and are often hard to control. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can become major problems. GAD can affect anyone, and it usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any time. It is twice as common for women and those who are assigned to be female at birth, as it is in males.
GAD can cause physical issues such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also make it difficult to fall asleep. It can also cause people to feel depressed and self-esteem erode. It can hinder the activities of work and social life. People suffering from severe, chronic GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However treatment can help manage the two disorders.
Although the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are linked to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain plays a role as well.
Although there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be managed through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses various methods that help you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that will help you to understand and control your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and lessen your anxiety by confronting them. Medicines can ease some physical symptoms, like heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines and some medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify and is therefore important to seek help if you are experiencing anxiety or other signs of the disorder. It is simpler to treat it when you seek help early, before the physical and emotional symptoms begin to affect your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of an attack on their heart. People with panic disorder may also be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, such as depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't known however, researchers believe they are caused by a combination of factors. Some research suggests they may be caused by brain circuits that control emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders have a first degree relative with the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time even when they realize that their fears are unfounded. This can cause problems when it comes to social situations, work or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They may also have muscle tension, irritability and difficulties in getting their attention.
A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to have many worries about daily tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also feel tired or irritable and have difficulty concentrating. They also often worry about their safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medication and complementary health practices. A mental health professional will help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the best treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help you learn how to cope with your worries and reduce the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are several types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect daily life. It causes intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations. It typically begins in the early years of childhood, but it can be present in the early years of adulthood. It usually manifests as anxiety over specific social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going on a date, or it could be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could result in being perceived as a failure by others.
Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their fear is irrational, they still feel powerless to overcome it. They attempt to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this makes them even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to to reduce their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and avoiding eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some patients who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These medications, known as antidepressants, can help to regulate 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).
It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment when they have social anxiety disorder. The condition can be debilitating if not treated and may result in other mental health issues like depression and addiction to substances. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to speak with a crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated but only one in 4 people who need care receive it. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to ensure that your doctor is aware of the different kinds of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be properly diagnosed and treated. Request your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional if you are unsure whether you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific phobias
A person with a particular phobia has a persistent and intense fear for one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears are often in contrast to the risk that the object or situation poses, but they can cause distress and interfere in the daily activities of. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias involve fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object could be anything from heights to dogs, flying to injections and areas that are crowded. This condition occurs worldwide, more often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. Certain phobias aren't unreasonable fears however, the fear is still very real.
Children who suffer from specific phobias typically get over them, however if a phobia persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. They exclude other conditions that may have similar symptoms like agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder before diagnosing a phobia. In previous DSM editions, adult patients had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.
https://rentry.co/2aufgn7q for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way that people respond to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the object or situation. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation and then move to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take an action towards it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes, and then being in a noisy elevator. Although this type of therapy cannot solve phobias but it can dramatically reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific fears. These treatments are generally proven to be effective by those with phobias specific to them.