Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed when anxiety or fear are constant, chronic and affecting daily life. Treatments include medication and psychotherapy or talk therapy.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional can diagnose the kind of https://pastelink.net/o6xhf5n9 you have.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Everyone is anxious at times, and there are a variety of good reasons to worry about things like work responsibility, money, or health. If the anxiety becomes continuous and engulfs your life, it may be a more serious anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People suffering from GAD experience fears that influence their lives for the rest of their lives and can be difficult to control. They tend to assume the worst, and that small issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually starts in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any time. It is twice as common in women and those deemed to be female at birth, as it is in males.
GAD can cause physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to sleep. It can cause people to withdraw and lose confidence in themselves. It can interfere with work and social activities. People who suffer from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to be depressed However, treatment can aid in managing both disorders.
While the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes to brain structures that impact the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.
While there is no cure for GAD, the condition can be managed by psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, encompasses a variety of therapies that help you identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your anxiety by challenging them. Certain physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or dizziness can be relieved by medications. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medications that treat seizures, like hydroxyzine.
GAD can be difficult to diagnose, but it is important to seek help in the event that your anxiety or other symptoms of the disorder are evident. It is easier to treat by seeking help early, before the physical and mental symptoms take over your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the feeling that your heart is racing or beating (heart palpitations). They worry that the symptoms they are experiencing could be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder may be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other health issues such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.
The reason behind anxiety disorders isn't fully understood, but researchers believe that they arise from a mix of factors. Certain studies suggest that they could be related to faulty brain circuits that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, like trauma or abuse in childhood, are typical causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety problems have a first-degree relative who has the condition.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to feel constantly stressed, even when they realize their fears are not rational. This can cause problems in social situations, work or at school. Some people with anxiety disorders are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience tension in the muscles, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder might be concerned about a myriad of daily tasks such as work responsibilities and family problems. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have trouble concentrating. They may also worry about their safety or the safety of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include medicine, psychotherapy and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the appropriate treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you discover how to cope with your anxiety and reduce the amount of panic attacks that you suffer from. There are several types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out in groups or individually.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder is a severe condition that can interfere with everyday life. It causes extreme anxiety, fear, and aversion to social situations. It can be present in the early years of adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going out for dates. It can also be more widespread and involve the need to avoid situations that could lead to being considered a failure.
Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their anxiety is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They try to manage their symptoms by avoiding situations that cause anxiety, but this only makes them more anxious. They may also adopt "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For instance they may drink alcohol, stay silent or avoid eye contact.
In addition to the psychotherapy, some sufferers with SAD can benefit from medication. These antidepressants can help regulate certain 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 essential to get treatment. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 911 or your local crisis line, or text TALK to 741741 to speak to an experienced crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive treatment. Barriers to getting treatment include lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also important to ensure that your healthcare provider recognizes the different types of anxiety disorders to ensure that you will be treated and diagnosed appropriately. Your doctor should refer you to a mental health professional when you're unsure if you have anxiety disorder or use an online screening tool.
Specific fears
A person who suffers from a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often not proportional to the danger that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder the daily activities of. Unlike the other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias cause fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared could be anything from heights, dogs, flying, injections, or overcrowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide most often in men than women, and is more likely to start in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded, but this knowledge doesn't diminish the severity of their symptoms.
Children with specific fears usually overcome them. However in the event that the fear persists in adulthood it may be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating symptoms and how they affect the way they function in their daily lives. They exclude other conditions that may be similar like agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing a fear. In past DSM editions, adults were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.
There are two kinds of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on changing the way that people react to their fears and teaches them better strategies for coping. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and consistent exposure to the subject or event. The patient may begin by imagining the object, or situation. They may then move on to look at pictures of it, walking in front of an elevator, holding toys, going to an animal park and viewing real snakes, and finally experiencing a busy lift. Although this type of therapy cannot cure a phobia, it can significantly reduce the intensity of its symptoms.
Psychotherapy and medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications are also options for treating specific phobias. These therapies are often proven to be effective by people with specific phobias.