Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or persistent and disrupt everyday life they may indicate an anxiety disorder. Talk therapy or psychotherapy and medication are effective treatments.

First, consult your physician to determine if there are any physical issues that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will diagnose the type anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious at times, and there are many good reasons to be worried about things such as job responsibility or money, or health. But if your anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you may be suffering from a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by feelings of dread and anxiety that can alter the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst, or believe that minor problems will develop into major disasters. GAD can be affected by anyone. It typically begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but it can happen at any point. It is twice as prevalent in women and those assigned to females at birth as men.

GAD can lead to physical discomforts like headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, cause people to isolate themselves from friends or family, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to be depressed, but treatment can help manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect the body's response to stress. Certain experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters within the brain also plays a part.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is different methods that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that can help you learn to control your thinking patterns that are unbalanced and decrease your fear by engaging them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations and dizziness. These include antidepressants and benzodiazepines and some medicines to treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD is difficult to diagnose and treat, but it is important to seek help when you are worried or if other symptoms of the disorder are evident. Early treatment is more effective, as it allows you to reduce the anxiety and physical symptoms before they take over your life.

Panic disorder

This anxiety disorder is characterized by intense, sudden feelings of terror and fear (panic attacks) that are intense within minutes. People who have this disorder may also feel chest pain, shortness of breath or a feeling that their heart is pounding or flaring ("heart palpitations"). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attacks. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders, and may be more susceptible to depression or other health problems like asthma or hyperthyroidism.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders result from a mix of factors. Some studies suggest that they may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences like childhood abuse or traumatic events are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety disorders have a first degree relative who has the condition.

People who have https://zenwriting.net/gongmine4/anxiety-disorder-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-whats-no-one-is-discussing can be anxious all the time even when they realize that their fears are irrational. This can lead to problems in social situations at work, at home or in school. Some people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They may also suffer from muscle tension, irritability, and difficulties in concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder may be worried about a wide range of everyday activities that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They're also likely to feel restless or easily fatigued, have trouble concentrating and often worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional will help you identify the disorder that causes your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy can help you discover how to manage your anxiety and reduce the number of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It usually starts in the early years of childhood, but it can be present in the early years of adulthood. It often shows up as anxiety about specific social situations, such as speaking in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized and include avoiding any situation that might result in being judged by other people.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded but still feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to reduce their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, avoid talking to others, or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few people with SAD benefit from medications. These drugs, also referred to as antidepressants, help balance the levels of 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 important to get treatment. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues, such as addiction or depression. If you or someone who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts contact 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but only about 1 in 4 people who need treatment receive it. Treatment is hindered by a lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, the lack of investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also crucial to make sure that your healthcare provider recognizes the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure whether you have an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional or use an online screening tool.

Specific fears

A person with a specific fear has a consistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations such as animals, objects, or people. The fear may be unrelated to the risk that the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and hinder the ability to function in daily life. Specific phobias differ from other anxiety disorders in that they cause anxiety around only one stimulus, instead of multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation could range from dogs to heights to flying to injections to crowds. The condition is found worldwide and is more common for women than men, and tends to begin in childhood or adolescence. Certain phobias aren't unfounded fears but the fear is still very real.

Children with phobias that are specific to them usually get over them. However when the fear persists into adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on the way they function in their daily lives. They are able to rule out other conditions that can be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a fear. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears as part of the diagnostic process. However, the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer necessary for adults.

There are two types of treatment for specific phobias: cognitive behavior therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses primarily on teaching people healthier strategies for coping and altering their reaction to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and consistent exposure to the subject or event. The patient may begin by thinking about the object, or situation. They may then go on to seeing pictures of it, walking near an elevator, playing with toys, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and finally riding a crowded lift. Although this kind of therapy cannot solve phobias however it can greatly decrease the severity of its symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also options for treating specific fears. People with specific phobias who test these therapies often experience better outcomes.