Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed when fear or anxiety is constant, chronic and affecting daily life. Psychotherapy or talk therapy and medication are effective treatments.

First, visit your doctor to rule out any physical ailments that could be the cause of your symptoms. A psychiatrist or mental health professional will diagnose the type anxiety disorder you are suffering from.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Everyone is anxious every at times and there are good reasons to be concerned about issues like work responsibility, health, or financial. But if your worries become constant and overtake your life, you may have a more serious anxiety disorder, known as generalized anxiety disorder medication anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterised by feelings of dread and anxiety that can affect the entire life of a person. They tend to assume the worst and that minor problems can turn into major catastrophes. GAD can be affected by anyone. It usually begins in adolescence or childhood, but can occur at any point. It is twice as common for women and in those who are born female.

GAD can trigger physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, and make it difficult to sleep. It can also affect social and work activities, causing people to withdraw from families or friends and cause a loss of self-esteem. People suffering from chronic and severe GAD are more likely to suffer from depression, but treatment can help treat both disorders.

While the root of anxiety disorders is not known, they appear to be related to genes and changes in brain structure that affect the way your body responds to stress. Some experts believe an imbalance of neurotransmitters inside the brain may also play in.

GAD is not curable, but it can be controlled through psychotherapy (talk-therapy) and medication. Psychotherapy or talk therapy includes several treatments that help you identify and modify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a kind of therapy that can assist you in overcoming your thoughts and patterns of thinking that are distorted and decrease your fear by confronting them. Medications can help relieve certain physical symptoms, including heart palpitations and dizziness. They include antidepressants, benzodiazepines as well as some medications that treat seizures, such as hydroxyzine.

GAD isn't easy to identify, but it is important to get help if you notice worrying and other symptoms of the disorder. It is easier to treat if you seek assistance early, before physical and emotional symptoms begin to take over your life.

Panic disorder

This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of intense fear and terror that can reach their peak in a matter of minutes (panic attacks). This disorder can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath or the sensation that your heart is racing or pounding (heart palpitations). They are often concerned that their symptoms could be a sign of a heart attack. People suffering from panic disorder could be at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, including depression and other health problems such as hyperthyroidism or asthma.

The cause of anxiety disorders isn't well understood however, researchers believe they develop from a combination of factors. Certain studies suggest that they may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that regulate emotion and fear. Other studies suggest that genetics and other life experiences, like childhood abuse or traumatic events, are common causes of anxiety disorders. Many people with anxiety disorders have a first degree family member who suffers from the disorder.

Anxiety disorders can cause people to be constantly stressed, even though they know their fears are irrational. This can lead to difficulty in social situations, work or school. People with anxiety disorders may are also unable to sleep or eating well. They might also experience tension in their muscles, irritability and difficulty concentration.

A person with generalized anxiety disorder is likely to be plagued by a variety of worries about everyday tasks, such as job responsibilities or family problems. They might also feel anxious, easily fatigued or have difficulty concentrating. They might also worry about their own safety or the safety of others.

There are effective treatments for anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, medicine for generalized anxiety disorder and complementary health methods. A mental health professional can help determine what disorder is causing your symptoms and suggest the best cure For anxiety Disorder treatment. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy can help you understand how to cope with your anxieties and decrease the number of panic attacks you have. There are many types of psychotherapy that include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure reaction preventative. These therapies can be performed individually or in groups.

Social anxiety disorder

While many people are nervous or shy in certain situations, social anxiety disorder causes such intense anxiety, fear and avoidance of social interactions that it can interfere with everyday life activities. It can manifest in the early years of adulthood, however it typically begins in the early years of childhood. It often shows up as a fear of certain social situations, such as speaking in class or going out on dates, or it may be more generalized and involve avoiding any situation that might result in being considered unpopular by other people.

Although the person suffering from SAD realizes that their anxiety is irrational, they still are unable to overcome it. They try to manage the symptoms by avoiding situations that trigger anxiety, but this can make them even more anxious. They might also develop "safety behavior" to try to lessen their anxiety, like drinking alcohol, avoiding conversation and avoiding eye contact.

In addition to the psychological treatments, a few patients with SAD benefit from medications. These medications, also known as antidepressants, may aid in balancing the levels of certain 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 suffers from social anxiety disorder, it's important to seek treatment. 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 having suicidal thoughts, contact 911 or your local crisis line or text TALK to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Anxiety disorders can be treated, but only about 1 in 4 people who need care receive it. Some of the barriers to seeking treatment are ignorance that anxiety conditions are real, inadequate investment in mental health services, and stigma. It is also essential that your healthcare provider understands the various forms of generalised anxiety disorder disorders, to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment. 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 use an online screening tool.

Specific Phobias

A person who has a specific phobia experiences persistent and intense fear of one or more objects, situations, animals or even other people. These fears are often out of proportion with the danger that the object or event poses, but they can cause distress and hinder the daily activities of. In contrast to other types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias are characterized by fear of a single stimulus rather than multiple stimuli. The object or situation that is feared could be anything from heights to dogs or flying, injections to flying and areas that are crowded. This is a common occurrence, more often in men than women, and can start in adolescence or childhood. People who have phobias specific to them know their fears are not rational, but this knowledge does not diminish the intensity of their symptoms.

Children with specific phobias usually outgrow them, but if a phobia persists in adults, it can be extremely difficult to treat. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on reported symptoms and their impact on everyday functioning. Before determining a phobia, doctors rule out other conditions with similar symptoms like agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder. In earlier editions of DSM adult patients were required to acknowledge their irrational fears in the diagnostic process. However the 2013 edition says that this requirement is no longer necessary best drug for generalized anxiety disorder adults.

Treatment options for certain phobias include cognitive behavior therapy and exposure-based therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is focused on altering the way people react to their fears and teaches them healthier coping strategies. Exposure-based therapy involves gradual and systematic exposure of the object or situation that is feared. A patient may start with thinking about the object or circumstance, then move on to looking at pictures of the subject. They may then take a step toward it (such as walking through an elevator), holding the toy snake, taking it to a zoo for a look at real snakes and finally being in a noisy elevator. This type of therapy may not eliminate fear, but it can reduce the intensity.

Other options for treating specific phobias include medications, such as antidepressants and anxiety psychotherapy, as well as other medications. These treatments are frequently proven to be effective by people who suffer from specific phobias.