Types of Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety disorders often struggle to concentrate and are irritable. They are also at a higher-risk of depression and certain health issues like thyroid problems.
Occasional anxiety is normal, for example before taking a test or moving to a new home. When anxiety becomes overwhelming and persistent you may need treatment. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) along with medications, are effective in treating most anxiety disorders.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Every person experiences anxiety at some time or another. This is a normal reaction to stress, no matter how physical or psychological. For instance, when you notice a car speeding towards you your natural fear or anxiety response helps ensure your safety by activating the "fight or flight" response. Your heart beats faster, blood pumps into your muscles and you breathe more deeply and your body is nervous in the event you have to escape danger or fight against an attack. However certain people are plagued by anxiety that is difficult to control. This type of worry could be harmful if it keeps you from completing your routine activities and affects relationships such as work or school. This problem is known as https://zenwriting.net/frontcurve3/what-not-to-do-with-the-anxiety-disorders-industry .
GAD can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in adolescence or early childhood and continues until adulthood. It is more prevalent among women than men. People with GAD typically have other psychiatric disorders, especially dysthymia or depression (less severe forms of depression). They are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol.
Psychotherapy and medications are typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Talk therapy or psychotherapy can aid in managing your symptoms. Finding a therapist with expertise in anxiety disorders could be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective kind of psychotherapy for GAD. It teaches you to confront distorted thinking and to use relaxation techniques.
Anxiety medications are usually employed as short-term treatments for anxiety. Effexor XR, duloxetine (Cymbalta) and escitalopram are all effective antidepressants. Discuss with your doctor about these medications prior to starting treatment.
Social anxiety disorder (formerly known as social phobia) causes overwhelming anxiety and discomfort in social situations. You might feel like you're not able to speak in front of people around you, or that they are looking at you from afar. Certain people suffering from this disorder are so anxious that they avoid social situations. The condition is also known as selective mutism. of this disorder, where people are afraid of certain situations such as eating or talking in public, or even eating in front of strangers.
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
Obsessions are uncontrollable and unwelcome thoughts, images, or urges that recur in your mind, causing anxiety or stress. Compulsions are behaviors, such as washing, counting or examining that you are driven to perform in order to reduce the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession. Obsessions and compulsions are common in those suffering from OCD. They can consume a lot of time and can disrupt relationships as well as work activities.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can affect men, women, and children of any age. It can begin in the earliest years of life, however, symptoms tend to manifest when you reach puberty or early adulthood. OCD's exact cause is unknown however some brain activity is thought to be abnormal. It could be due to an imbalance in the chemical serotonin which determines your mood. There's also a significant genetic component; if one or more family members suffer from OCD there's a 25% chance you'll experience it.
OCD patients often feel powerless to stop their obsessions and compulsions. They realize that they are wrong and don't enjoy their compulsions, but are forced to act to avoid negative events happening or to escape the stress that their obsessive thinking creates.
There are a variety of treatments that can help. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), can improve OCD symptoms for most people. In ERP therapy, your therapist gradually exposes to the objects or situations that trigger your thoughts, such as touching dirty objects, and helps you resist acting on your compulsive actions (for example, washing your hands) to ensure that your anxiety decreases as time passes.
SSRIs are also prescribed to some people with OCD. These are drugs that boost serotonin levels in the brain. Other forms of psychological treatment include mindfulness-based and behavioural treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and meditation. ACT helps you to let go of your obsessional thoughts and takes away their influence over you, whereas meditative and relaxation techniques can help manage stress.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is defined by frequent episodes of intense anxiety or fear that can reach the peak in just minutes and include symptoms such as a pounding heart and sweating, trembling, nausea, chest discomfort, breathlessness, feelings of impending doom, and the belief that one is having a heart attack. These episodes may occur after frightening experiences, or they may be spontaneous and unexpected. People with PD are also constantly concerned about future panic attacks, and avoid situations that they fear could trigger a panic attack.
PD as with other anxiety disorders, can cause extreme distress and have a negative impact on daily life. Men and women are equally affected, but the condition is more prevalent in those who have experienced trauma. It is also more likely to happen in those with an extended family history of depression or anxiety.
Although highly effective treatment exists however, only 1 out of 4 people who need treatment receive it. Barriers to care include a lack of understanding that anxiety disorders are treatable, poor access to mental health care services, and the stigma associated with seeking help.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders may be similar to the symptoms of other diseases like heart disease or hyperthyroidism. This is why it is important to see a doctor for an evaluation and a diagnosis. A qualified mental health professional can recommend specific treatment after ruling out physical causes.
While the causes of anxiety disorders aren't fully identified, it is clear that genetic and environmental factors play a role. Anxiety disorders are typically passed through families and are more likely to appear earlier in those with an history of anxiety disorders. There are a variety of risk factors that can lead to anxiety disorders, like smoking or abusing children. Certain medications, like diazepam and Valium can cause anxiety. Antidepressants such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants may alleviate anxiety, as do beta-blockers used to treat heart conditions. Learning about the various types of anxiety disorders and learning about treatments can help you manage your symptoms and lessen stress in daily life.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is defined by a persistent and heightened fear of being in public eye or in the company of others. They fear that they will be judged negatively and may be smacked of or rejected. They may experience a variety of physical and psychological signs that include heartbeats that are rapid as well as sweating and trembling. Their anxiety about social situations can cause problems in the workplace or in relationships. The disorder can also lead to a variety of psychological disorders like depression and substance abuse.
This condition can be treated using psychotherapy, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This helps the person learn alternative ways of thinking and acting that can reduce the anxiety. It helps the person realize that their fears aren't in proportion to the actual threat and that they have control over the way they behave and react. Exposure therapy or cognitive delivered exposure is another effective approach. It involves gradually exposing the person to the situations which trigger their anxiety, with the help of an expert in a secure setting.
Social anxiety disorder can be treated with medication, but they are not considered to be a cure. These include antianxiety drugs such as antidepressants, beta-blockers and antidepressants. They are usually employed in conjunction with psychotherapy.
The research is ongoing to determine the causes of this condition and to identify risk factors. It is well-known that certain environmental factors and genes may contribute. Certain studies have also demonstrated that those with this disorder react more than normal to certain hormones.
It is essential to seek help for anxiety disorders as they can have serious consequences on people's daily lives. A general practitioner or mental healthcare specialist can identify anxiety disorders and suggest treatment. It can be hard to ask for help and it can be recommended to include a trusted friend or family member in the appointment-making process, or to join others in a peer group or support group.
Certain kinds of anxiety disorders can have a very negative effect on your life and increase the risk of depression, substance abuse eating disorders, suicide. Contact a suicide prevention helpline for help if you or someone you love is thinking about suicide.