Types of Anxiety Disorders

Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times, but when these feelings are extreme or persistent and disrupt daily life, they could indicate an anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective ways to treat anxiety.

First, see your physician to rule out any physical conditions that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or another mental health specialist can determine the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious at times and there are many good reasons to worry about things like work responsibility or money, or health. But when the worries become constant and overtake 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 impact the whole life of a person. They tend to anticipate the worst and assume that minor problems will develop into major disasters. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common among women and the newly born female.

GAD can cause physical issues, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can cause difficulty to fall asleep. It can also cause people to withdraw and lose self-esteem. It can affect the activities of work and social life. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher risk of depression. However treatment can help to manage both disorders.

While the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are connected 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 plays a part.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Talk therapy or psychotherapy includes various therapies that help you recognize and alter unhealthy thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of talk therapy which can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by engaging them. Medications can help relieve some physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants along with medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD can be difficult to recognize, but it is important to get help if you are experiencing anxiety or other signs of the disorder. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you manage your 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 a matter of minutes. The sufferers may also experience chest discomfort, breathlessness or a feeling that their heart is beating or it is fluttering ("heart palpitations"). They often worry that their symptoms could be a sign of heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and may be more susceptible to depression or other health issues like 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 control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like trauma or abuse in childhood, are common causes of anxiety disorders. A large number of people with anxiety issues have a first degree family member who suffers from the condition.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are irrational. 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 suffer from muscle tension, irritability, and difficulty concentration.

A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder may worry about a wide range of everyday tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family issues. They may also feel restless, easily fatigued or have trouble concentration. They might also worry about their safety or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include best medication for generalized anxiety disorder, psychotherapy, and complementary health techniques. A mental health professional can help you determine the problem that is causing your symptoms, and suggest the most effective treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to manage your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exposure response preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in group.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, a social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with normal life activities. It typically begins in childhood, but can also manifest in the early years of adulthood. It may manifest as anxiety in certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on date. It could also be more widespread, and include the need to avoid situations that could result in being assessed.

The person suffering from SAD may realize that their fear is irrational however, they feel powerless. They try to control their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this only increases their anxiety in the long term. They may also develop "safety behavior" to ease their anxiety. For example they may drink alcohol, remain silent or avoid eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, some patients suffering from SAD benefit from medication. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can aid in balancing the levels of some 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 seek treatment. The condition can be debilitating when left untreated, and could cause mental health issues, such as depression and substance misuse. If you or someone else who you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911 or your local crisis hotline or text TALK (741741) to consult with a crisis counselor.

One in four sufferers of anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are ignorance that anxiety disorders are real, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also important that your healthcare provider understands the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment. Request your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health if you are unsure whether you have an anxiety disorder. You can also use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific fear has a constant and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals, or other people. The fear may be insignificant to the threat posed by the object or circumstance, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in daily life. Specific phobias are different from other anxiety disorders due to the fact that they involve anxiety about a single stimulus, not multiple stimuli. The feared object or situation may include anything from heights to dogs to flying, injections, or crowded spaces. The condition is prevalent throughout the world and occurs more often among women than men and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded however this does not diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children who have phobias that are specific usually get over them, but if a fear persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors identify the disorder by examining the symptoms and how they impact the daily activities. Before determining a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In earlier editions of the DSM adult patients were required to recognize their irrational fears as part of the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition states that this requirement is no longer required cbt for generalized anxiety disorder adults.

There are two types of treatment for particular phobias: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure to the object or situation that is feared. The patient may begin by thinking about the object or the situation. They can then proceed to see images of it, stepping into an elevator, playing with toys, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes, and then experiencing a busy lift. This kind of therapy might not be able to eliminate a fear, but it may decrease the intensity.

Psychotherapy and medicines such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs are also options to treat specific fears. These therapies are often considered to be effective for people with specific phobias.