Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety is excessive, persistent and interfere with daily life. Psychotherapy, talk therapy, and medication are effective treatments.

First, consult your doctor to rule any physical ailments out that might be causing symptoms. Then, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose the kind of anxiety disorder you have.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety at times, and there are many valid reasons to be worried about things like work responsibilities and financial obligations, as well as health. If the worry is constant and consumes your life, it may be a more severe anxiety disorder referred to as generalized anxiety Disorder blood Pressure disorder. GAD is characterized by dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They are prone to anticipate the worst or assume that minor problems will turn into major disasters. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but it can happen at any point. It is twice as common in women and those born female.

GAD can cause physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also hinder social and work-related activities, cause people to isolate themselves from family or friends, and contribute to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at greater risk of depression. However, treatment can help to manage both conditions.

Although the exact cause is not known however, it is believed that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that affect your body's response to stress. Some experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain is involved too.

GAD is not curable, however it can be controlled with psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, includes a variety of treatments that teach you to identify and modify negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of anxiety disorder of therapy that can help you control your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by confronting them. Medications can help relieve some physical symptoms, such as dizziness and heart palpitations. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants, as well as some medicines to treat generalized anxiety disorder seizures, like hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify however it is crucial to get help if you notice worrying or other signs of the disorder. It is simpler to treat it if you seek assistance early, before physical and mental symptoms take over your life.

Panic disorder

This kind of anxiety disorder is defined by repeated, sudden feelings of intense terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). The disorder can also trigger chest pain, shortness breath or the feeling that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms may be signs of a heart attack. People with panic disorder are at risk for developing other anxiety disorders and could be at a higher risk of depression and other health issues like hyperthyroidism or asthma.

Researchers believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination factors. Some research suggests that they could be linked to the malfunctioning of circuits in our brain that control emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics, life experiences such as childhood abuse, or traumatizing events are typical causes of anxiety disorder. A large majority of people suffering from an anxiety disorder have a parent who suffers from the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly anxious, even though they know their fears aren't rational. This can create difficulties in social situations, at work or in school. Additionally, some people with anxiety disorders have difficulties sleeping or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties concentrating.

A person suffering from generalized anxious disorder might be concerned about a wide range of daily tasks that include work-related responsibilities as well as family problems. They might also feel anxious, easily fatigued or have trouble concentration. They may also worry about their own security or that of others.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. The treatments include medicine, psychotherapy, and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can assist you in identifying the condition that causes your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you cope with your anxiety and reduce panic attacks. There are a variety of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and exposure response preventative. These therapies can be done either in a group or on an individual basis.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a severe disorder that can affect daily life. It causes extreme anxiety, anxiety and avoidance of social situations. It can manifest in early adulthood, but it usually starts in childhood. It is usually manifested as anxiety about specific social situations, such as having a conversation in class or going on date, but it could be more generalized, and include avoidance of any situation that could cause being perceived as a failure by others.

When someone with SAD realizes that their fear is not rational, they feel powerless to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this makes them even more anxious. They may also develop "safety behaviours" to try to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, staying silent and not making eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, some sufferers with SAD benefit from medication. Antidepressants can help balance some neurotransmitters within 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 suffers from social anxiety disorder social anxiety, it's important to get treatment. Untreated, the condition can be debilitating and lead to other mental health issues like addiction or depression. If you or someone else you know has suicidal feelings contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (741741) to speak with an emergency counselor.

Anxiety disorders are extremely treatable however, only 1 out of four people who require treatment receive it. Treatment is hindered by the lack of awareness about anxiety disorders, low investment in mental health services, and stigma. It's also important to ensure that your healthcare provider is aware of the various types of anxiety disorders so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder consult your physician to refer you to a mental health professional or make use of an online tool to screen.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific phobia has a persistent and intense fear of one or more of the following: objects, situations animals or even other people. These fears may be out of proportion to the danger posed by the object or situation, however they can cause significant anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. Contrary to other forms of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of one stimulus, rather than multiple stimuli. The feared situation or object could be anything from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and the crowded spaces. The condition is found worldwide and occurs more often in women than men, and tends to begin in adolescence or childhood. People with specific phobias know their fears are unfounded but this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.

Children who suffer from specific phobias typically get over them, however if a fear persists in adults, it can be very difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by evaluating the symptoms and how they impact daily functioning. They are able to rule out other conditions that can be similar, such as agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder, before diagnosing the fear. In the past DSM editions, adults had to acknowledge their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis, but the 2013 edition states that this is no longer necessary for adults.

Treatment options drugs for social anxiety disorder specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is primarily focused on teaching people better ways of coping and changing their reactions to fear. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and constant exposure to the object or situation. The patient might begin by thinking about the object or situation and then move to looking at images of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking past an elevator) or holding an imaginary snake, going to a zoo to look at real snakes and finally taking a ride in an elevator that is crowded. While this type of therapy cannot alleviate phobias however it can greatly decrease the severity of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are also options to treat certain phobias. These treatments are generally proven to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.