Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can be identified when fear or anxiety is chronic, persistent, and interfere with your daily routine. Treatments include medication and talk therapy or psychotherapy.
First, visit your physician to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing 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 from time to time, and there are many valid reasons to be worried about things like work obligations and financial obligations, as well as health. However, if the anxiety becomes constant and consumes your life, you could have a more serious anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People suffering from GAD experience anxiety-like feelings that can affect their whole lives and are often hard to control. They tend to think that they are the worst, and that small issues can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be a problem for anyone. It usually begins in the adolescent years or early childhood but can occur at any time. It is twice as prevalent in women and those born female.
GAD can cause physical symptoms, including stomachaches and headaches, as well as make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work-related activities, leading people to avoid family or friends and lead to an eroding of self-esteem. People who suffer from chronic, severe GAD are at a higher risk of developing depression. However, treatment can help manage the two conditions.
While the exact cause is not known, it appears that anxiety disorders are connected to genetics and changes to brain structures that alter the body's response to stress. Some experts believe that a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain may play a role too.
While there is no cure for GAD however, it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. generalized anxiety disorder symptoms or talk therapy comprises several treatments that help you identify and change negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of therapy that can help you manage your distorted thoughts and reduce your fear by engaging them. Some physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations can be alleviated by medication. They include benzodiazepines and antidepressants, as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.
GAD is a difficult condition to identify and treat, but you should seek treatment when you are worried or if other symptoms of the condition are apparent. Early treatment is more effective, because it helps you manage your anxiety and physical symptoms before they become a major part of your life.
Panic disorder
This type of anxiety disorder is marked by frequent episodes of sudden feelings of extreme terror and fear that peak within minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is fluttering or pounding (heart palpitations). They may be concerned that the symptoms they are experiencing are symptoms of a heart attacks. People who have panic disorder are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders and could be at increased 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 related to malfunctioning circuits in the brain that regulate fear and emotions. Other studies suggest that genetics as well as life experiences, such as childhood abuse or traumatic events are the most the most common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people suffering from anxiety problems have a first-degree relative with the condition.
People suffering from anxiety disorders can feel worried all the time, even when they know that their fears are irrational. This can cause problems in social situations, at work or at school. Certain people suffering from anxiety disorders also have difficulty sleeping or eating well. They may also suffer from tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulties in concentration.
A person suffering from generalized anxiety disorder is likely to experience many worries about routine tasks, like work responsibilities or family issues. They may also be irritable, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentration. They might also be concerned about their own security or that of others.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine and complementary health practices. A mental health professional can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment. Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help you manage anxiety and decrease panic attacks. There are several types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be done individually or in group.
Social anxiety disorder
Although many people feel anxious or shy in certain situations, the social anxiety disorder causes such intense fear, anxiety and avoidance of social interactions that it interferes with normal life activities. It usually begins in childhood, but may be present in the early years of adulthood. It can manifest itself as anxiety in specific social situations like speaking in class or going out on a date. Or it may be more widespread, and include avoiding all situations that could result in being considered a failure.
The person suffering from SAD may realize that their anxiety is unfounded but feel helpless. They attempt to manage their symptoms by avoiding the stressful situations, but this makes them more anxious in the long term. They may also adopt "safety behaviors" to try to reduce their anxiety, for example, drinking alcohol, being quiet and not making eye contact.
In addition to the psychological treatments, some people who suffer from SAD benefit from medications. These medications, also known as antidepressants, can help to regulate 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).
It's important that you or someone you love receives treatment if they suffer from social anxiety. If left untreated, the disorder can be debilitating and cause other mental health issues like addiction or depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK (TALK) to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor.
Only 1 in 4 patients suffering from anxiety disorders receive treatment. The main barriers to treatment are the lack of awareness that anxiety disorders are real, a lack of investment in mental health services and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider understands the different types anxiety disorders, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated. If you're not sure if you suffer from an anxiety disorder Ask your doctor to refer you to an expert in mental health or utilize an online screening tool.
Specific fears
A person with a particular fear has a consistent and intense fear for one or more objects or situations such as animals, objects, or people. These fears could be out of proportion to the risk posed by the object or situation, but they cause marked anxiety and can hinder functioning in everyday life. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by anxiety over a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The object or event that is feared may be anything from heights, dogs, flying to injections to overcrowded spaces. The condition is widespread and is more prevalent for women than men, and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. People who suffer from specific phobias are aware that their fears are not rational however this does not lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Children with specific phobias usually outgrow them, however if a fear persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder by looking at symptoms and how they affect the daily activities. Before diagnosing a phobia doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms such as agoraphobia or social anxiety disorders. In past DSM editions, patients of adult age needed to recognize their irrational fear as a part of the diagnosis. However, the 2013 edition says it is no longer necessary for adults.
Treatment options for specific phobias include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching people healthier coping mechanisms and changing their response to fear. Exposure-based therapy is the gradual and constant exposure to the subject or event. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance before moving on to looking at photos of the subject. They may then take steps towards it (such as walking by an elevator), holding a toy snake, going to a zoo and looking at real snakes and finally being in a noisy elevator. While this type of therapy does not alleviate phobias but it can dramatically reduce the severity of its symptoms.
Other treatment options for specific fears include medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and psychotherapy. These treatments are frequently considered to be effective by people with phobias specific to them.