Types of Anxiety Disorders
Everyone feels anxiety and fear at times, but if these feelings are severe or continue to reoccur and interfere with your daily routine, they could be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.
First, see your doctor to rule out any physical conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can diagnose the kind of anxiety disorder you suffer from.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Every person experiences anxiety from time to time, and there can be good reasons to be concerned about things like job responsibilities, health or money. When the worry becomes constant and consumes your life, it could be a more severe anxiety disorder known as generalized anxiety disorder. People with GAD have anxiety-like feelings that can influence their lives for the rest of their lives and are often hard to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can escalate into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone, and it usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood however, it can also 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 men.
GAD can trigger physical symptoms, like stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can interfere with social and work activities. People with severe and chronic GAD are more likely to experience depression however treatment can help treat both disorders.
Although the exact cause of anxiety isn't known, it appears that anxiety disorders are related to genetics and changes in brain structures that impact your body's response to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may also play an important role.
GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medications. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes a range of treatments that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a kind of talk therapy which can help you manage your thoughts that are distorted and decrease your anxiety by challenging them. Medicines can ease some of the physical symptoms, including dizziness and heart palpitations. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as certain medications used to treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD isn't easy to identify however it is crucial to get help if you notice worrying and other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective as it allows you to control the physical and emotional symptoms before they take over your life.
Panic disorder
The anxiety disorder is characterized by sudden, intense sensations of fear and terror (panic attacks) that peak within minutes. This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They frequently worry that their symptoms are signs of heart attacks. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.
Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some studies suggest that they could be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate the emotions and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most typical causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with an anxiety disorder have a first-degree relative who suffers from the disorder.
Anxiety disorders can cause people to be anxious all the time even though they know that their fears are irrational. This can lead to problems in social situations at work, or at school. People with anxiety disorders may also have trouble sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.
A person suffering from https://sparks-salinas-2.mdwrite.net/10-misconceptions-your-boss-shares-about-anxiety-disorder-cognitive-behavioral-therapy may be worried about a variety of everyday activities that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They might also feel anxious and fatigued, or have trouble in concentrating. They might also be concerned about their own safety or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medications psychotherapy, psychotherapy and other complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope with anxiety and decrease panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These treatments can be carried out individually or in groups.
Social anxiety disorder
Although many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorders cause such extreme anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it causes problems with everyday life activities. It usually 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, like talking in class or going out on a date, or it may be more generalized and involve the avoidance of situations that could cause being considered unpopular by others.
The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded however, they feel powerless. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this only makes them even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behaviors" to help reduce their anxiety, such as drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some patients with SAD benefit from medications. These antidepressants can help regulate some neurotransmitters within 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 not treated, the condition could be debilitating and cause other mental health issues, such as depression or addiction to substances. If you or someone you know has suicidal feelings call 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to talk to a crisis counselor.
Anxiety disorders can be treated, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Barriers to getting treatment include the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider is aware of the various forms of anxiety disorders, so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you're not sure if you have an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or utilize an online screening tool.
Specific phobias
A person who suffers from a particular phobia experiences a constant and intense fear for one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. These fears are often in contrast to the risk that the object or event creates, but they can cause anxiety and disrupt everyday functioning. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they involve anxiety about a single stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may range from dogs to heights to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. This condition occurs worldwide, more often in men than women, and tends to begin in childhood or early adolescence. Certain phobias aren't just irrational fears however, the fear remains real.
Children with phobias that are specific to them usually overcome them. However when the fear persists in adulthood, it can be difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and their impact on the way they function in their daily lives. Before determining a phobia, doctors are able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. In previous DSM editions, adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition states that this is no longer required for adults.
Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better strategies for coping and altering their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the object or situation that is feared. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or circumstance and then move to looking at pictures of the subject, then taking an action towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo for a look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. Although this type of therapy does not cure a phobia but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.
Other treatment options for specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. These treatments are frequently reported to be effective by those who suffer from specific phobias.